October 16, Happy Birthday, Tanaka Hisashige 🇯🇵💡Tanaka Hisashige: Japan's Edison
I am Tanaka Hisashige, and today I sit in my humble workshop in Fukuoka, where the scent of wood and oil fill the air, mixed with the soft crackle of coal in the stove. This is the place where my dreams become reality—a place where imagination fuses with metal and gears, where the silent stories of Japan’s Edo period transform into moving machines, karakuri. I am a man of invention, but I am also a man of tradition, born in 1799 to a world that is rich with old customs but also teeming with the potential for the future.
The land around me speaks of ancient history—the narrow streets, the towering temples, the quiet farms outside the bustling town. The air is dense with the weight of centuries of history, and the people are tied to the land in ways that feel as old as time. Yet, here I stand at a moment of change. We are moving from the Edo period, which kept Japan locked away from foreign influence, to the beginning of the Meiji era, where Western ideas flood into our shores. This shift stirs something deep inside me, a sense of excitement and fear. What will we become?
I come from a country divided by strict class systems—samurai, farmers, artisans, merchants—and these invisible lines bind us all in complex webs. But I have always felt that human connection transcends such divisions. When I see a curious face light up at the sight of one of my karakuri dolls—a tea-serving robot or a puppet that moves gracefully with hidden mechanisms—I see not a samurai or a commoner, but a person moved by the marvels of creation. We are all bound by wonder, by our shared curiosity, and it is that connection I find most fascinating.
I was a curious child, always disassembling things to understand how they worked, and this curiosity never left me. My greatest joy has always been in building machines that mimic life—machines that surprise and entertain. My "Mujin-to" (an oil lamp that didn’t need a wick) made me proud, but it was also my karakuri that gained me fame. I became known as "Karakuri Giemon" in my youth. These machines—automated, intricate dolls—are more than just toys; they are symbols of human ingenuity.
But as I grew older, I began to realize the power of machines to do more than just entertain. In the later years of my life, as Japan opened its doors to the West and technology from Europe and America began pouring in, I shifted my focus to steam engines, clocks, and electrical devices. I founded Shibaura Seisakusho, which would later become Toshiba, a company that would carry my legacy of innovation long after my death.
Even now, I wonder what the future holds. My desire is to see Japan rise in the world of science and industry, to move beyond feudal traditions and embrace the possibilities of technology. But I fear the pace of change—it is exhilarating, yet overwhelming. Will we lose ourselves in the rush to modernize? Or will we take what is best from both worlds, creating a future that honors our past while embracing progress?
My deepest hope is that the inventions I leave behind will not only serve the world but will inspire others to look at the potential in their own hands and minds. Innovation is not the domain of a single person—it is a web of human effort, creativity, and knowledge that spans across time. My machines are just one thread in this great tapestry.
A Startup Lesson from Tanaka Hisashige
As a founder, I see my work reflected in the journey of modern startups. Building something new, something unseen before, is not just about technical skill—it is about understanding how people think, feel, and connect. Just as my karakuri puppets sparked fascination in their audience, so must your products speak to the heart of your users. Technology alone is not enough; it is human emotion, curiosity, and connection that drive success.
Startups today often get lost in the race for innovation, trying to outdo each other in features and functionality. But remember, every invention must serve a deeper need—a need to bring people closer together, to solve a problem, or to inspire wonder. Look beyond the mechanics of what you’re building and ask: How does this make someone’s life better?
At the same time, do not fear failure. Many of my inventions did not work the first time, but each failure taught me something new. Persistence is key—no great creation comes without obstacles. If you face setbacks, understand that they are part of the journey, helping refine both your product and your purpose.
Lastly, honor your roots, but be bold in your vision. I was born in an era where tradition was everything, but it was by combining those traditions with new ideas that I was able to thrive. So, respect your past, but do not let it limit your future. The balance of wisdom and innovation is what will allow your startup to grow into something truly great.