4 Sun 9 Step Japanese puzzle money box

Description

The Yosegi pattern on this puzzle coin bank hides even the slot where you put your money into the money box.  First you must find that. Perhaps you’ll even have trouble finding the slot to put the money in. And its not one of the 9 steps to open the puzzle box and retrieve your money! 

This puzzle box features the use of narrow panels siding sideways that is brilliantly disguised by the highly decorative, some would say busy, and incredibly precise Yosegi wooden patterning.  In Japanese the word for these panels is Ka-n-nuki.

This one is an excellent idea for people who want to give a little gift of money but add a little challenge to extend the excitement and fun.  You don’t have to do all 9 moves and solve the puzzle to get the money inside (see dimensions below) but they will!

Japanese people have been storing valuables inside these type of secret opening boxes for more than 250 years so it makes sense to use it as a money box.

Mr Puzzle imports these puzzle boxes directly from the craftsmen working in the Hakone region of Japan.  The yosegi pattern is still made in the traditional way so the pattern on each box is similar but may vary slightly. The yosegi work is particularly pretty on this one with a wide variety of patterns. And the puzzle comes in a lovely lilac colour pressboard box so it would make a lovely christening gift, mothers day present, 21st birthday gift; something that is a keepsake forever. But we must say these puzzles are not made to be a robust toy so please keep that in mind. They are a delicate artwork in their own right.  In fact the actual art of making yosegi is actually heritage listed in Japan.  The fit is precise but panels that are designed to move will move smoothly when everything is lined up correctly so please do not use excessive force to try to move something.

Size: 4 Sun (a traditional unit of measure to denote length)
Actual size outside: 120mm x 83mm x 52mm Space inside: 85mm x 62mm x 38mm 
The money slot is 30mm wide and 3-4mm high. I could fit 16 sheets of standard paper in the slot. Its very well hidden in the pattern.
For Australian customers, our 50 cent coin is too wide to fit in the slot and in thickness, the $2 coin just fits.