An electrically-bent endoscope includes a bend driving portion for bending a
bending
portion. The bend driving portion has a motor for generating driving force, a gear
train for transmitting driving force generated in the motor, a sprocket for converting
driving force of the motor to a back and forth movement of bending operation wires
for bending the bending portion at the head portion of an inserting portion, and
a clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting driving force transmitted from
the gear train to the sprocket. The clutch mechanism includes a transmitting member
for connecting and disconnecting the gear train and sprocket, a thrust mechanism
for moving the transmitting member in the axial direction of the sprocket and a
clutch operating member, connected to the thrust mechanism, for inputting instructions
for connecting and disconnecting the gear train and the sprocket.