| Our Japanese puzzle boxes are named Himitsu-Bako, which translates to “personal secret box”. These Japanese puzzle boxes are rare and beautiful works of art created by a small cadre of master craftsmen in the Hakone-Odawara region of Japan for more than 100 years. There are only nine master craftsmen producing these puzzle boxes, the youngest of whom is sixty years old. Each of the master craftsmen produces a box by working virtually alone. The exception is the Yosegi-Zaiku, the inlay pattern, is completed by a group of 30 craftsmen. They have no diagrams or written directions for their mechanics or techniques. Since the late 1800’s, a person wanting to learn the craft has had to apprentice with a recognized and true Himitsu-Bako Master. The 6 Sun and 7 Sun are particularly rare and can be considered as investments or collector’s items.
These wooden Japanese puzzle boxes are simple and ornate in appearance in addition to being impressive puzzles. They are available in different sizes, styles, and from different studios. When the boxes are closed, there is no obvious opening. In fact, at first glance it does not seem possible to open them because the cuts are extremely precise. Upon close observation you will be able to see that the surface has movable pieces that can be slid in various sequences. To open the box you will have to make the precise series of moves, from a minimum of 2 to a maximum of more than 100. The size of the box, the sequence required for opening, and the number of steps to complete the series of moves is design by the master craftsman without the aid of manufacturing plans. Even the most basic Japanese puzzle box is not easy to solve. For this reason we strongly suggest you save the directions that are provided with each box.
Yosegi-Zaiku , the wooden inlay of the puzzle boxes or marquetry, is a form of art that has been practiced in Japan for many centuries and is used to decorate a variety of products. This woodcraft is extremely tedious and exacting and guarantees a unique personality to each puzzle box. The nine master craftsmen that make our boxes employ 30 craftsmen to do this work. To make these patterns, the wood is initially squeezed in a vise to create geometric patterns. The pattern is then planed using a special hand tool to create a paper thin sheet, which is then applied to the box.
Zougan art is a traditional Japanese art form. The inlay is done by first chiseling out the desired shape from the box and then inlaying the area with another wood. This method is used to insert elaborate pictures or scenes. By placing very thin pieces of wood set into of the surface of the puzzle box, scenes that include mountains, lakes, birds or animals are created. This styke is exclusive to the Hakone-Odawara region of Japan .
The first Japanese puzzle boxes were designed over 100 years ago in the Hakone region of Japan . The coloring is all natural wood . The mountains in this region are known for their amazing variety of trees. The patterns are created by using the color, grain and texture of a wide variety of woods. Spindle tree or dogwood is used for white, Katsura-jindai for black, wax tree, lacquer tree, sumac or mulberry for yellow, Japanese pagoda tree, cherry tree, Zelkova Tree for light brown, camphor for brown, Keyaki-jindai for dark brown, Honoki (Magnolia hypoleuca) for gray, Japanese cucumber for blue, Chinese cedar for red, etc….
A special unit of measure is used to designate the size of the boxes. This Japanese traditional unit of measure is called “Sun”. 1 Sun equals approximately 1.22 inches , 2 Sun is twice as large, and so on. This system is used to describe the approximate size of the Japanese puzzle boxes. Note that the sun system does not describe the width or height, or the size of the inside compartment.
1 Sun = 1.22” 2 Sun = 2.44” 3 Sun = 3.66” 4 Sun = 4.88”
5 Sun = 6.1" 6 Sun = 7.3" 7 Sun = 8.5"
Since Japanese puzzle boxes are intricate works of art and are made from exotic woods, here are some things to keep in mind to insure that you are able to enjoy them for many years. To clean and maintain:
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Wipe the surface with a clean dry cloth.
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Do not use abrasive cleansers.
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They are precision pieces, take care not to drop or allow impact to the box.
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Never use excessive force to move the panels.
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Avoid areas of high humidity.
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Prevent your nails from damaging the marquetry or denting the wood by wearing latex gloves.
When looking at pictures on the internet, it is easy to be deceived. The following suggestions are listed to help you distinguish quality and value:
1. Look for quality studios like Izumiya, Yamanaka, Hiroyoki Oka, Kakutaya.
2. The size, style of the box or number of moves does not necessarily indicate quality.
3. A master craftsman will have his signature stamp or hanko on the interior lid to show he made the puzzle box.
4. Look for quality wood products from the Hakone-Odawara region of Japan .
5. Smooth movement means that pressure is required to slide the panels, but excessive force is not needed to move them in the proper direction.
6. A natural wood finish should be smooth.
7. A lacquer finish should be streak free.
8. Depend on Discountables to stand behind the products we sell.
We offer these quality products through our discount merchandise website or by special order at the various shows we attend. As always, we strive for 100% customer satisfaction and orders over $30.00 ship free. When at the fairs and festivals we carry a very limited supply of display merchandise, but try to have a few on hand for your viewing. Please consult our event calendar for scheduled appearances and allow extra time for shipping
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