Description
To open a Japanese puzzle box one or more sliding pieces hidden within the patterns on the box must be moved. Even the bottom and top panels move with this one. There are 21 separate moves or 21 steps to open this secret opening box.
Just the thing if you really want a challenge. And what a way to prolong the gift giving if the person has to find all these moves to get their present.
Traditional Japanese secret opening boxes were first made in the Hakone region about the 1890’s by master woodworker Ryugoro Okawa and are decorated with a veneer called yosegi zaiku marquetry. They were first made in the Hakone region of Japan as souvenirs for people visiting the hot springs in the area.
The very precise process of Yosegi marquetry starts with gluing different coloured woods together to form the desired pattern. Then very thin sheets called zuku are shaved with a special plane and glued on to the puzzle. Because each puzzle box is handmade in Japan the pattern on each one will be very similar but may vary slightly from the photo shown here.
Size: 4 Sun (a traditional unit of measure to denote length) Actual size outside: 120mm x 83mm x 52mm Space inside: 73mm x 60mm x 32mm
Genuine Japanese made puzzle box. Not a Chinese copy.
Simeon (verified owner) –
This high quality puzzle box is an excellent purchase.
High quality materials and very sturdy build. This little box is an intricate but fun puzzle and has a nice amount of space to hide maybe some money or some precious jewellery. Once you solve it the sequence is quite easy so you don’t have to worry about breaking it to get the contents in a rush. It comes with a set of colour instructions that require a little bit of puzzle solving itself.
Overall a great buy for novice or starting puzzle solvers and a nice little storage box for important items.
I have two hints for those who are having trouble but don’t want to look at the solution:
1. What is usually written on a shampoo bottle?
2. Pay attention to which way the lid is when putting it back together.
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