No.1 Introduction Mr.Kansazan (1748-1827) who was a poet of Chinese poetry, wrote an essay "FUDENOSUSABI" . In this essay, there was a topic which introduced " a technical machine" as following below. A technical machine. There was a mounting craftsman named Koukichi in Okayama. He caught a pigeon, and measured width of a pigeon's wing, and its weight. Then, he made the wings which fitted his body in comparison with a pigeon. In addition, he attached the equipment on his chest which handles wings. So he tried to fly. But, he could not jump from ground. Next he tried to fly from an upside of a roof. At least he was successful in his experiment. He could fly to the sky. One night, he was flying to the sky, he detected a garden party on river side. He thought that there was some his friends in this party, then he approached the party. But he approached the ground, the wind power became weak , then he fell down. The people at the party were surprised at his figure, and ran away as fast as possible. Afterward, some liquor and foods had been left in a place of the party. Koukichi drank some liquor and ate some foods. And, he tried to fly again. But he could not fly from the ground. So, after he took down wings, he left for home on foot. This incident became known to many people afterward, and he was called to the police office. At last judgment was passed on his case. He was found guilty. He had his wings confiscated by the police office, and he had to move to other place from Okayama. This incident was a funny story, then I recorded it. This incident was happened on before 1787. This mounting craftsman Koukichi was called "bird-man Koukichi", was not a man on the legend. He existed in history. He succeeded in flying in 1785 about 210 years ago. And he flew before 100 years from 1891 when Mr.Otto Lilienthal flew practically. Moreover, it was before about 120 years from 1903 when the Wright brothers flew in the U.S.. Koukichi was one of the great pioneers in this field in the world. I had received precious data based on "Koukichi" sent from Mr. Koizumi who is studying on this matter for many years in Tamano city, Okayama. On my reference , Koukichi was not well known person for Japanese people especially after WW . I want to recognize many people Koukichi fulfilled his dream after all. It is the exactly same expectations that Koukichi had never given up to fly to the sky. This is a made-up story with regard to Koukichi's life from my understanding. Again, please remind Koukichi was alive - not the legend. |