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Emperor Tenchi (or Tenji) of Japan (626-671) is credited with making the first water clock, a device that measured time by the amount of water leaking out of a vessel. The Japanese honor their 38th emperor on June 10, the day on which he first ordered the hour to be announced by sounding temple bells and drums. The Rokoku Festival, or Water Clock Festival, is held on this day at the Omi Jingu Shrine in the city of Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, where the emperor’s water clock is housed. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary