chie-no-ita

Updated: May 16, 2025

Chie-no-ita, the 'Intelligent Boards, or better, perhaps, 'The Planks of Intelligence. A sort of chain composed of about a dozen flat square pieces of white wood, linked together by ribbons. Hold the thing perpendicularly by one end-piece; then turn the piece at right angles to the chain; and immediately all the other pieces tumble over each other in the most marvellous way without unlinking.

Lafcadio Hearn - Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan : First Series