Is there a Doctor in the House
A doctor and his friend
A doctor and his friend by Osamu Kasho
I don’t know why it has taken so long for someone in the Karakuri Creation Group to make a robot, because it seems like a fantastic idea for a puzzle box that has simply been waiting to happen. I’ve been thinking about this idea personally for years, and even submitted a proposal to the group’s Idea Contest once. I suspect many in the group could come up with fantastic and novel ways to hide secrets in a robot puzzle. In fact many have been thinking about this idea. Fortunately, Osamu Kasho has brought the idea to life, and thanks to his collaboration with his friend Kobitokitan, who makes tiny figurines, Kasho’s robot comes along with its maker, too!
don’t you think it should have won the idea contest?!
“I have been thinking about making a robot since I started to make Karakuri boxes. I think many Karakuri craftsmen had thought about making robots once. I was trying to pack a lot of moves into it and I gave up at that time. I didn’t know what I could do and what not with woodworking. Years passed, I was wondering about my new box and I just asked my 6 years old son what does he want me to make. He answered "robot!" Then I was like, "Okay, robot." At this time I could think more simply to make a robot and I have many more nice ideas and techniques than before.”
good medicine
Kasho’s work is full of whimsy and child-like delight. Many of his best creations also hide extremely clever and challenging tricks, or feature something dynamic that occurs, as is the case here. “This work was originally from my graffiti I drew before. There was a man on the shoulder of a big robot. After I made up this prototype, I wanted to put something on the shoulder. It could expand the story of this box and I [recruited] my friend Kobitokitan as always. We discussed what should it be on its shoulder. We thought a doctor would be very nice. A doctor made his robot friend. That must be a good story and stimulates the owner's imagination. So I named it "A doctor and his friend."
original sketch, courtesy of Osamu Kasho
When I started to make Karakuri boxes, [Kobitokitan] started woodcrafts. He hadn’t made tiny dolls yet but made a variety of wooden works and I was so impressed by his skill and creativity. I was making some accessories and some small things from cutoffs of wood and we used to sell them in craft fairs. It was memorable days for me. I started to collaborate with him on my Bara-Bara Box: philosopher, it was in 2021. Yes, I would love to continue to collaborate with him more. We are always discussing what we would do together. We are trying to make some toy now.”
this doctor is head and shoulders above the rest
A doctor and his friend is Osamu’s largest puzzle to date, even bigger than the incredible A horse with warrior. This posed a few new challenges! “This is the biggest one I've ever made. Also I wanted to put some dynamical moves. I had many problems when I worked on it because of this size and movement. Some parts were easy to get stuck and break. I redesigned again and again to avoid that.” Osamu had many ideas for how his robot might move, but couldn’t use them all. He also learned more about working on such large pieces. “Big sized products have their specific problems. Of course it needs more woods. Big parts are easy to warp, expand and shrink. I learned how to design these size of boxes addressing these problems.” Building the puzzle was a struggle, but one which paid off well. The final result is a grand show piece with lovely tricks and multiple compartments.
bend over? no that’s a different puzzle box
One of the most delightful aspects to the robot is how it changes its mood as you start to tinker with and annoy it. Osamu notes that his son really loves this part. “The face of this robot is going mad on the way to solve. My son was playing with this. I always give my boxes for testing durability. After he played, it always got mad face. I realized he likes its mad version.” I also thought the doctor looks mad, but that’s apparently not the case. “He looks mad because of having a spanner in his hand but it's for fixing his friend if he has some problems. He's a very gentle and kind man.” Well, that’s a relief!
doctor’s orders
Osamu is spending a sabbatical year in Canada, raising his family and supporting his wife’s career, so we will have to wait for his next masterpiece. In the meantime, he has become friends with the puzzle maker John Devost, gathering inspiration for new ideas, and even sharing his knowledge with a broader audience as an invited lecturer at 69 Atlantic, the intimate magic forum hosted by Art of Play. “I think it's the time for rethinking of my work and making things in more different ways. I'm making my boxes supported by many good people around me. Also, the reactions of the people who touched my boxes are really helping me to move forward. Thank you so much and enjoy!”
Doctor No. 1 c. 1948
Here's a toast from the cocktail archives that is perfect for our physician friends … although full disclaimer, alcohol is not actually healthy for you and the days of prescribing a real cocktail for what ails you are as long gone as this drink is old. Now that we have gotten that public service announcement out of the way, let me share the Dad-like pleasure I get when I’m asked by someone at a bar what I’m drinking. “What’s this? Well I’m glad you asked! Why, it’s just what the doctor ordered!” The bartenders have started serving me this way now.
making a house call
I’ve made toasts with a few different medically themed mixtures over the years. The COVID pandemic brought out the best of these, with both the vintage Dr. Rieux and the modern classic Penicillin doing honors. This time we are going vintage again. The Doctor cocktail can be traced back to the pages of Hugo Ensslin’s revered tome, Recipes for Mixed Drinks, 1917, where it was a simple preparation of Swedish Punsch and lime. Many variations exist, although it seems to have always featured Swedish Punsch, that deliciously funky combination of rum, Batavia arrack, and spice made popular in the era of the eighteenth century shipping trade. In David Embury’s The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, 1948, he lists recipes for Doctor No 1 – 4, each with varying rations of Swedish Punsch, rum, and citrus juices. I’ve hewn close to the No 1 original, as described in Difford’s Guide, and do not regret it. Cheers!
these are just what I ordered
Doctor No. 1 c. 1948
45 cl white rum
40 cl Swedish Punsch
5 cl lemon
5 cl orange
4 dashes bitters
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Orange twist.
explore more: