Mame 4-step box
Today is still part of Golden Week in Japan, and it's also a national holiday called Children’s Day. All across Japan, there are likely many events and activities happening for children. The weather is very nice today — it feels a bit warm, but overall it's quite comfortable. I came to the workshop a little later than usual, but I still got some work done.
Before starting work, I also did some maintenance on the plants around the workshop. Around this time of year, trees and grass grow very quickly. If I don’t take care of them, the area gets covered in weeds in no time 😂
The 14-step Mame himitsu-bako I’ve been working on is finally finished. The final check of the mechanisms took quite a bit of time, but I’m happy to say that all of them turned out well.
After that, I worked on making and attaching the Aruki panels for the 18-step mame himitsu-bako. Since I’m making about 50 boxes this time, I was able to do the panel production and assembly at the same time. The 18-step mechanism uses a stair-like pattern with a depth of 1.4 mm, so it requires extra precision and attention during production.
To ensure smooth movement, the tightness of the sliding mechanism is also very important. Compared to simpler mame himitsu-bako with fewer steps, the movement range is smaller, so the fit needs to be slightly looser — but of course, not too loose. Finding that perfect balance is the key. That’s why I always feel relieved when the Aruki panels are completed and everything moves as intended. For now, the assembly is finished, and the boxes are stored in cases, ready for the next step — attaching the outer yosegi panels.
And then — back to mame himitsu-bako again😅 This time, I’m working on the 4-step version for the Hakone Market. The frame assembly is already complete, and today I worked on making the Aruki panels. Although this is a mame puzzle box, its structure is exactly the same as the larger 4-step boxes. It uses three Aruki panels. Since the parts are smaller, more precise adjustments are needed, but the overall method of making them is the same.
Speaking of 4-step boxes, the 4-sun size version is quite well-known, but I have never worked on that particular type myself. In my style of work, the production cost would end up being higher than other 4-step boxes, and it likely wouldn’t sell well because of that. I believe this box is one of the main reasons why many woodworking craftsmen have said, “Himitsu-bako making isn’t worth it.” Over the years, this particular box has been pushed to the limit in terms of reducing production costs, leading to a sort of price-cutting competition. As a result, craftsmen were forced to cut corners during production, and the quality of the boxes began to suffer. Puzzle boxes (Himitsu-bako) require many steps and a great deal of time to make, unlike regular yosegi boxes without mechanisms. In that sense, it was a challenge that was unrealistic from the beginning. Even though the pricing has improved slightly in recent years, it still isn’t profitable enough to attract new successors to continue the craft.
I plan to continue working on these tasks tomorrow as well.
Before starting work, I also did some maintenance on the plants around the workshop. Around this time of year, trees and grass grow very quickly. If I don’t take care of them, the area gets covered in weeds in no time 😂
The 14-step Mame himitsu-bako I’ve been working on is finally finished. The final check of the mechanisms took quite a bit of time, but I’m happy to say that all of them turned out well.
After that, I worked on making and attaching the Aruki panels for the 18-step mame himitsu-bako. Since I’m making about 50 boxes this time, I was able to do the panel production and assembly at the same time. The 18-step mechanism uses a stair-like pattern with a depth of 1.4 mm, so it requires extra precision and attention during production.
To ensure smooth movement, the tightness of the sliding mechanism is also very important. Compared to simpler mame himitsu-bako with fewer steps, the movement range is smaller, so the fit needs to be slightly looser — but of course, not too loose. Finding that perfect balance is the key. That’s why I always feel relieved when the Aruki panels are completed and everything moves as intended. For now, the assembly is finished, and the boxes are stored in cases, ready for the next step — attaching the outer yosegi panels.
And then — back to mame himitsu-bako again😅 This time, I’m working on the 4-step version for the Hakone Market. The frame assembly is already complete, and today I worked on making the Aruki panels. Although this is a mame puzzle box, its structure is exactly the same as the larger 4-step boxes. It uses three Aruki panels. Since the parts are smaller, more precise adjustments are needed, but the overall method of making them is the same.
Speaking of 4-step boxes, the 4-sun size version is quite well-known, but I have never worked on that particular type myself. In my style of work, the production cost would end up being higher than other 4-step boxes, and it likely wouldn’t sell well because of that. I believe this box is one of the main reasons why many woodworking craftsmen have said, “Himitsu-bako making isn’t worth it.” Over the years, this particular box has been pushed to the limit in terms of reducing production costs, leading to a sort of price-cutting competition. As a result, craftsmen were forced to cut corners during production, and the quality of the boxes began to suffer. Puzzle boxes (Himitsu-bako) require many steps and a great deal of time to make, unlike regular yosegi boxes without mechanisms. In that sense, it was a challenge that was unrealistic from the beginning. Even though the pricing has improved slightly in recent years, it still isn’t profitable enough to attract new successors to continue the craft.
I plan to continue working on these tasks tomorrow as well.
