THE JAPAN NEWS

 

Novelist Natsume Soseki (1867-1916) is back in Tokyo — as an android.
Nishogakusha University in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, and Osaka University Prof. Hiroshi Ishiguro unveiled the final product of their joint project at a press conference on Thursday, a day before the 100th anniversary of the writer’s death.

The humanoid robot sits 130 centimeters high and was made based on pictures taken when the writer was 45 years old and his death mask, among other materials.

The project team artificially created speech using the voice of Gakushuin University Prof. Fusanosuke Natsume, 66, a grandson of the novelist.

“I’m really glad to see [my grandchild],” said Natsume the android, which also read out a part of his book “Yumejuya” (Ten Nights’ Dreams).
Asked about how he felt about the speech, looking slightly embarrassed, Fusanosuke said, “Well, it’s actually my own voice ...”

Natsume studied at Nishogakusha, Chinese Classics Studies Academy, the predecessor of Nishogakusha University.