27 move puzzle boxes £98.00 21 move puzzle boxes £84.00 They are truly "a one off" items, no 2 boxes are identical. Brand new large sized (5.75"x3.5"x2.5") japanese puzzle boxes. As with all japanese puzzle boxes it has secret sliding pieces hidden in the design. The design is called Yosegi (or Koyosegi), meaning "random pattern." It is considered a medium level difficulty puzzle, though to a person who has never opened one of these boxes, it can be difficult to know where to begin without instructions! This boxes can be supplied with instructions to open it, or WITHOUT instructions if you think you would like to face a challenge. but we can email you the instructions at a later date (within 1 month) if it gets the better of you. The condition of this box is NEW. ** 54 ** move boxes comming soon request more info / purchase 16 move puzzle box £79.00 The maker is Master Kanbara What makes this 16 move box special? The maker is Master Kanbara You WILL NOT find another craftsman making this type of box. He is the only man with the right to make this box. This is a truly "a one off" item, no 2 boxes are identical. This is a brand new large sized (5.75"x3.5"x2.5") japanese puzzle box. As with all japanese puzzle boxes it has secret sliding pieces hidden in the design. The design is called Yosegi (or Koyosegi), meaning "random pattern." It is considered a medium level difficulty puzzle, though to a person who has never opened one of these boxes, it can be difficult to know where to begin without instructions! This box can be supplied with instructions to open it, or WITHOUT instructions if you think you would like to face a challenge. but we can email you the instructions at a later date (within 1 month) if it gets the better of you. The condition of this box is NEW. This is an outstanding item that would look great on your office desk, or dinning room table A truley unique item to posses with pride All boxes are new and each one has a very small variations in it's pattern from the others. this picture shows the overall style, size and design of box for sale A truley unique item to posses with pride request more info / purchase History of the Japanese puzzle box Hakone-Yosegi-Zaiku marquetry is a woodcraft that uses abundant natural materials that are available in Japan, it originated in the middle of the 19th century, in the late Edo period. None of the wood used in Hakone-Yosegi-Zaiku marquetry is artificially colored in any way and each work is created to take advantage of the natural colors of the various trees that grow around Hakone. Different colored thin pieces of wood are squeezed in a vise to create geometric patterns. The pattern of this cross-section is planed to make one unit or sheet with a geometric pattern that is 1/100 cm (0.04 in.) thick. These paper-thin sheets are then glued on decorative boxes and other items. The Himitsu-Bako (Personal Secret Box) is a traditional Japanese puzzlebox that was designed over 100 years ago in Japan. The Personal Secret Box takes advantage of this wide variety of natural wood colors and textures to produce their elaborate geometric patterns. The appeal of the Personal Secret Box is not merely in its entertainment qualities. It is adorned with Yosegi-Zaiku and/or Moku-Zougan. The Yosegi-Zaiku is a mosaic woodwork usually applied to small handicrafts such as trays, boxes, and chests. This marquetry technique originated in the late Edo Period, and in May of 1984 was designated a National Traditional Handicraft by the International Trade & Industry Minister. In Japan, there are about 100 people who are working in the field of Traditional Wooden products. Of these 100 people, only about 30 craftsmen produce Yosegi-Zaiku and about four craftsmen produce Moku-zougan. The Himitsu-Bako is produced by only 9 traditional craftsmen. These craftsmen do not make the Yosegi-Zaiku, which adorns their Secret Puzzle boxes. The Himitsu-Bako craftsmen produce their secret puzzle box virtually alone from start to finish. They each pick the wood they will use and then allow it to dry for a period of time. Next, they cut and assemble wood pieces to form the puzzle box. Finally, they apply the Yosegi-Zaiku to the outside of the box with the proper finishing technique. The art of making Himitsu-Bako has never been written down as a pattern or a simple written explanation. Instead it has been passed on from master Craftsman to apprentice for three generations. Mr. Ohkawa passed on his knowledge to Mr. Ninomiya (who is retired and in his 80's). Mr. Ninomiya passed on his knowledge to Mr. Kamei and Mr. Kikuchi. Mr. Kikuchi is currently retired and Mr. Kamei presently makes his own unique form of puzzle boxes recognized throughout the world. Mr. Kikukawa passed on his knowledge to Mr. Suzuki and Mr. Yoshzawa. Mr. Yoshzawa passed on his knowledge to Mr. Kanbara who is currently making himitsu-bako. Mr. Suzuki and Mr. Yoshzawa have since passed away. Mr. Tatsunosuke Okiyama passed on his expertise to his son Mr. Yoshitaro Okiyama who passed on his expertise to his son Mr. Yoshio Okiyama. Mr. Yoshio Okiyama is currently 75 years old and has no apprentice. In May 1984, Hakone Himitsu-Bako and Yosegi-Zaiku were designated a National Traditional Handicraft by the International Trade & Industry Minister of Japan. In the Hakone area of Japan, there are about 100 people who are working in the field of Traditional Wooden Products. Of these 100 people, only about 30 craftsmen produce Yosegi-Zaiku. Yosegi-Zaiku is the mosaic patterns seen on the many different traditional wood products produced in the Hakone area. The Himitsu-Bako is produced by only 9 traditional craftsmen. These craftsmen do not make the Yosegi-Zaiku, which adorns their secret puzzle boxes. The Himitsu-Bako craftsment produce their secret puzzle box virtually alone from start to finish. They each pick the wood they will use and then allow it to dry for a period of time. Next, they cut and assemble wood pieces to form the puzzle box. Finally, they apply the Yosegi-Zaiku to the outside of the box with the proper finishing technique. The youngest of the Himitsu-Bako Master craftsmen is about 60 years old. Currently, there are about three apprentices actively learning this art. UK mainland postage and pakaging £5.00 (48 hour delivery)