Aquio Nishida

https://arima-toys.jp/en/atam-world/

Aquio Nishida (1946–2009) was a creator of automata, director of the Japan Museum of Contemporary Toy, and author of several books on automata. Known for his unique style, his book "Automata, Movable Illustration" opens with these words: "An automaton is something non-living that mimics the movements of something alive. For many years, countless artisans and masters of the art of creating movable figures have breathed life into these lifeless creations. In today’s advanced world, where even the mechanics of a child’s toy can be incomprehensible, I believe that making automata—where every single part of the mechanism is carefully designed—is a profoundly meaningful endeavor." Aquio Nishida designed and built the automaton featured on this page for the "Against the Idea of War" exhibition at the Modern Automata Museum.