The Origin of the Music Box is the 'Carillon' | The History of Automatic Performance Born from Church Bells [Music Boxes and Kyoto Vol. 3]

The Origin of the Music Box: The 'Carillon'

Tracing the origins of the music box leads us to the 'carillon,' a musical instrument consisting of bells installed in church towers.

It is said that the music box was invented around 1796 by the Swiss watchmaker Antoine Favre.

At that time, there were no phonographs or records, and the only way to listen to music was to go to a concert. Therefore, the music box, which could automatically play beautiful melodies, was welcomed by people of that era with great surprise as a true 'invention that allowed you to carry music with you.'

And the roots of that music box were indeed the 'carillon,' a bell-playing device installed in places like church towers.

Automatic musical performance devices that began in church towers

Originally, church bells were rung as signals to inform people of the time or events. However, around the 15th century, 'carillons' began to be created in various places, combining multiple bells with different pitches to play melodies.

Some carillons are played by people pulling ropes in sequence to ring the bells, or by operating keyboards or pedals. On the other hand, a mechanism that automatically plays by turning a cylindrical 'drum' with a handle also developed.

What is the difference between a carillon and a music box? From large bells to small comb teeth

In this automatic-playing carillon, the drum rotates, and the pins embedded in it move the striking levers (clappers) that hit the bells in sequence, playing a beautiful melody. This mechanism was further miniaturized and made capable of playing more complex music, which became the music box.
This mechanism was further miniaturized and made capable of playing more complex music, which became the music box.

Music boxes are broadly divided into two types: cylinder music boxes and disc music boxes, but the first to become widely popular was the cylinder music box.

The 'cylinder' of this cylinder music box is made based on almost the same concept as the carillon's drum. Countless pins are embedded in a cylindrical metal piece, and those pins record the musical information.

Then, when the cylinder is rotated by the power of a mainspring, the pins pluck the teeth (reeds) of a comb-shaped metal plate called a 'comb,' which serves as the sound source, playing a beautiful tone.

In other words, the basic structure of 'playing with pins' is common to both carillons and music boxes.

Of course, because it vibrates metal comb teeth instead of bells, the device was dramatically miniaturized. Furthermore, by increasing the number of comb teeth, it became possible to play complex and delicate melodies that were difficult for a carillon.

From giant church bells to music boxes that can be enjoyed on a tabletop—.
The evolution of mechanical technology over hundreds of years lives on within them.

The roots of the music box that still resonate in the city today

The carillon, which became the origin of the music box, still resonates its tones across Japan today as monuments in cities and squares.

In Kyoto Prefecture, the 'Bell of Peace' in front of the Uji City Hall is famous. It uses 20 bells to play various songs on the hour. Also, in front of JR Kameoka Station, there is a carillon equipped with 15 bells, where you can enjoy different melodies depending on the time.

In fact, there is also a carillon on the premises of the Daimaru Kyoto Store in Shijo Karasuma, about a 20-minute walk from the Nidec Music Box Showroom.

Unfortunately, its performances ended in 2024, but until then, beautiful melodies such as 'Joy to the World' echoed through the city every hour. You can currently listen to recordings of those performances on YouTube and other platforms, and for those who knew its sound, it remains a nostalgic memory.

Because carillons are large-scale facilities, their maintenance and repair require significant costs. As a result, many have disappeared, much to the regret of the public.

Nevertheless, there are still many carillons remaining across the country that continue to tell the time and play beautiful melodies.

If you have the chance to walk around a city while traveling, please try to look for a carillon.

And if you listen to the sound of those bells and think, 'This mechanism was eventually passed down to the music box,' you might see the scenery in a slightly different way than usual.

(A. Hisada)

▼ Series 'Music Boxes and Kyoto'
The 'Nagamori Collection Gallery' where you can encounter antique music boxes in Kyoto [Vol. 1]
The story of the 'metal' that supports the tone of music boxes | Its surprising connection to Mikane Shrine in Kyoto [Vol. 2]

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