Japanese puzzle boxes are increasingly becoming harder to get because the number of craftsmen making the boxes is very limited (around 10 craftsmen or so), but it has been getting more popular lately because of the beauty of the hand crafted wooden boxes and they continuously make the new puzzle boxes every year, so they have gradually been recognized as collectable items.
This type of puzzle box is called Himitsubako and it comes in various sizes and difficulties, but the mechanism of the boxes has not been changed for over 100 years, so once you open one type of this traditional himitsubako puzzle box, the others will not be so hard to open even though the box is 72 moves one.
They have, thus, started creating new puzzle boxes called Karakuribako.
Himitsubako and Karakuribako are similar things, but as for himitsubako it opens always with sliding movements, but Karakuribako doesn't necessarily involve sliding moves, but also like hitting, spinning, rotating etc, so it can be much harder to open than himitsubako.
The shapes of these boxes are also very different.
This cassiopeia karakuribako puzzle box is one example. The way it opens is totally different from the himitsubako, but very unique. The hint to open the box is the title of the box with the design on the top.
This yin and yang puzzle box is absolutely work of art quality. It rotates and slides, but how you rotate and slide is important.
These limited edition karakuri puzzle boxes are expensive, but there are collectors all over the world, so the value of these boxes tend to stay the same.
For more information on these puzzle boxes, please visit our official English blog .
You can now purchase from our new https://mabysoshite.thebase.in/
Our store is located in very convenient area of Tokyo with easy access from Tokyo metro Gaienmae station which is only 2 stops away from Shibuya.
MA by So Shi Te
2-22-15 Minamiaoyama, Minatoku, Tokyo 107-0062
03-3401-0922
The nearest station is Gaienmae station on Ginza line and it is only 1 min walk from the Exit 1b. You can also walk from the Aoyama Ichome station.
