Japanese puzzle boxes are highly collectible. They are
beautiful, functional and intriguing. Our wide selection and affordable prices
will make it easy for you start or add to your collection of Japanese puzzle
boxes.
Traditional Japanese puzzle boxes can be relatively simple to very challenging
and almost impossible to open unless you follow the exact step by step
procedure designed specifically for the particular box. Original instructions
are included with all of our Japanese puzzle boxes, secret boxes, and trick
boxes. Often these instructions or diagrams are in Japanese, but they are
illustrated and easy to follow.
To solve a puzzle box, one or more sliding parts in one end are moved,
allowing the other end to be moved slightly. This partially unlocks a side
panel, which allows other pieces to be moved. These, in turn, partially unlock
the top or bottom. This method is continued, moving around the box, until the
top panel can slide, opening the box. Some of the more expensive boxes may
allow both top and bottom panels to open, or have other secret compartments or
drawers within. Interestingly, Puzzle Boxes have no lock and seemingly no
opening. However, each box crafted includes very tricky mechanism(s).
Most Japanese personal secret boxes have a variety of difficulties, ranging
from 4 to 66 moves. A few large puzzle boxes have exceptional numbers of
moves, such as 78, 122, 119, or 125.
Sizes of the Traditional Japanese Puzzle Box (Himitsu
Bako)
The Hakone, Japan Puzzle Box Creators use the ‘sun’ system to describe the
size of a traditional puzzle box. "Sun" is a
traditional Japanese unit of measure to denote length. The translation of Sun
to a length that we can relate is that 1 Sun is about 30.3 mm or about 1.22
inches. This system is used to describe the approximate size of Hakone, Japan
Puzzle Boxes. Note that the sun system does not describe the width or height,
or the size of the inside compartment.
We consider Mini Trick Boxes, 1 & 1.5 sun boxes to be miniature (mame). 2,
2.5, and 3 sun boxes are small boxes. 4 sun boxes are medium size. 5 sun is
the standard size. 6 sun is large. And 7 sun is very large.
Measurements and "Sun" Sizes in Inches
|
Small Boxes
1 sun = 1.22
1.5 sun = 1.83
2 sun = 2.44
2.5 sun = 3.05
3 sun = 3.66
|
Medium Boxes
4 sun = 4.88
5 sun = 6.10
|
Large Boxes
6 sun = 7.32
7 sun = 8.54
|
How to Care for Japanese Puzzle Boxes...
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 each Himitsu Bako for many years.
Avoid areas of high humidity and high temperature. To clean, wipe the surface
with a clean dry cloth. Do NOT use abrasive cleansers.
DO NOT drop or allow impact to the box. NEVER force pieces to move.
