We cannot see the full marquee on the machine, but it probably says something like "体力ためし" (strength test). If you look close at the marquee it does not seem like it is attached. Could it have been added to the picture later? The perspective seems incorrect:
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| this does not seem like the proper perspective for a marquee attached to the machine. How much of this picture is accurate, and how much is a modified illustration? |
This machine looks uncannily familiar to a number of other punching bag machines, but I do not believe it is an import. The parts could have been imported, but many of the external details are very similar to other models without matching any of them precisely.
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| the machine as it appears in the ~1937 catalogue |
Transcription:
是れは拳で打っ力を試す機械であります。錢入口へ一錢入れて「バツク」を引下げ之を上部の臺裏目常に力一杯叩き付けますと中央の計量機の針が腕力量を直ちに表示します力自慢の連中が我がちに競ふて試みる間に意外の利益がありますMachine Translation:
This is a machine that tests your striking power with your fist. Put a coin into the inlet, pull down the bag, and hit the back of the top with all your might, and the needle on the central weighing machine will immediately display your physical strength. There are unexpected benefits between
This machine best resembles one specific model, The Mills Bag Punching Machine aka Deliver The Punch, by Mills Novelty from around 1903.
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| The Mills Bag Punching Machine aka Deliver The Punch, by Mills Novelty from around 1903 |
The Japanese machine showcases the same iconic curves at the top of the machine, though the Japanese machine's top is thicker. The metal cage around the bag looks entirely unique on the Japanese version, and the punching bag pulls down much farther.
The Japanese version has space for a large graphic and no other punching bag machine from that era had devoted that much space for an illustration. The graphic itself looks somewhat familiar to the graphic seen on the Mills' dial:
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| detail of The Mills Bag Punching Machine |
The dial on the Mills' machine is much higher. On the Japanese version the dial does not look nearly as intricate. The upper coin slot on the Mills' has migrated to beneath the dial on the Japanese version.
The cabinet-style panelling of the Mills machine is emulated very well on the Japanese machine.
The Japanese model's support rods are curved, unlike any other prior model I have found, and as well the base is entirely unique. It feels much more subtle when compared to the large curves of the Mills machine:
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| detail of The Mills Bag Punching Machine |
Another classic machine from that era, when we contrast this next machine against the Japanese machine, it really highlights how much closer in details the Mills Novelty version is.
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| 1910 Punch-A-Bag by International Mutoscope Reel Co |
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