Hiraga Gennai (1729-79) was an Edo period Japanese pharmacologist, physician, author, painter, and inventor who is well known for his Erekiteru (electrostatic generator). The Gennai Hiraga's Spark Generator kit by Gakken replicates his early work in creating static charges. Easy to build -- instructions are in Japanese but feature highly detailed assembly pictures (sorry, no English translation at this time).
MAKE is proud to be the exclusive distributor in North America for these brilliant kits from Gakken.
In the Maker Shed: Gennai Hiraga's Spark Generator
Recent Entries
- A Way to See the Wind
- Our Autobot in Odessa
- Arduino prototyping lap desk
- Projects: Failure and mounting a "scratch monkey"
- Battle Symets are GO!
- Screw-in coffin patent issues
- Beginner woodworking project for illusionists?
- Brickarms molds
- LED people remake
- <3 your maker: MAKE's Valentine's Day gift guide
Comments
Oldest comments listed first.
Leave a comment
Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!
Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.
$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

































Hiraga Gennai appears in a few animes probably most notably the Read or Die OVA series and he was also known for his satirical essays one of which has the title "On Farting."
Reply to this comment