The Planchette

The plai#hette was the popular craze in Jhe year 1887 in Japan. The instrument used there consists of three pieces of bamboo of a specified lerigth tied in the iniddle to form a tripod, over which is inverted a shallow circular tray of lacquered ware about a foot in diameter. The legs are 1 foot 6 inches, Japanese, in length. All present put their hands gently on the tray, and thecoknri, as the object is called, or cokuri san, san being honorific, is politely asked to answer the proposed questions by rais'ng one leg for "yes" and another for "no."' Or for "yes" by ttirning around, many such devices being used. The operation wil be seen to be more closely allied to "table turning" than what we know as the plauchette.