Very cool!

The above, is a giant, mechanical, copper and automaton filled clock designed by Mr Miyazaki (he of Laputa, Naussica, Howl’s Moving Castle and other Ghibli anime fame).  It sits pride of place outside the NTV building in Tokyo - with mechancial people doing their thing as the clock strikes hours etc.  Mr T Indindoli wrote to tell me about it - and I am ever so glad - it’s a giant Steampunk clock if ever there was one, with big gears and funny clawed talon legs holding it up.  I’m a big Ghibli fan, so seeing a giant copper clock (very reminiscient of the style of Howls Castle) is delightful.  I’m only sorry that the only YouTube video we’ve found so far is taken in the dark.  Still, you can read more about it both at Mainichi and the Table of Malcontents - and you can bathe your eyes in the pretty illustrations over at what looks like the official clock site (all Japanese, alas).

I’d post a link to a translated version of the official clock site but it’s a Flash page (Boo! Hiss!)
Here are a few stats about the clock:

The clock, which is 12 meters tall, 18 meters wide and weighs 28 tons, was made from 1,228 copper plates, and displays 32 mechanical trick features. The clock resembles images from Miyazaki’s film "Howl’s Moving Castle," and at fixed intervals blacksmith dolls come out of the clock as music is played.

So if your in the area make sure you go to the Shiodome district and have a look at this marvel.

[via brassgoggles]
Huge mechanical figure clock designed by Oscar-winning anime director unveiled at NTV