4-sun 18-steps box
Today, I started working on new 4-sun puzzle boxes.
Since the temperature is high and I can't continue the finishing work on other boxes in this heat, I decided to put those on hold for now and begin something new instead.
This time, I’m making a box using an original yosegi design. I was considering how many steps to include in the mechanism, and I decided to go with 18 steps. I thought about making it a 27-step or 21-step box, but I chose 18 steps for a change.
Interestingly, there aren’t many shops that offer 18-step puzzle boxes.
From 18 steps and up, the mechanism usually involves movement on all four sides of the box, which makes the structure more complex. But even though the mechanism is more complicated, it only adds 4 more steps compared to a 14-step box. That might be why not many craftsmen choose to make it. Personally, I really like the 18-step mechanism 😄 I think I prefer it even more than the 21-step version.
From now on, I hope to release more original designs each month, if possible. This 4-sun 18-step box is the first in that new series.
The original yosegi pattern I created this month will include a number in the product name that indicates the date it was made. Since this design was created in July 2025, it will be labeled “202507”. I’ll also use this number to organize and store my product photos.
There’s still a bit of this yosegi pattern left, so I plan to use it for other boxes with different mechanisms as well.
Today, I started by building and assembling the structural frame of the box.
Because it’s an 18-step mechanism, I’m using mostly the same Aruki thickness and internal parts as I use for the 14-step boxes. I plan to make about 30 of them this time.
After that, I began preparing for the final coating of the Knock Box that I base-coated a few days ago.
The surface needs to be sanded before the final layer is applied. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to finish everything today due to time, but I think it should be completed within this week.
It’s been very hot every day, but in our area, the rainy season hasn’t officially ended yet.
So the weather forecast says we might see some rain later this week.
Since the temperature is high and I can't continue the finishing work on other boxes in this heat, I decided to put those on hold for now and begin something new instead.
This time, I’m making a box using an original yosegi design. I was considering how many steps to include in the mechanism, and I decided to go with 18 steps. I thought about making it a 27-step or 21-step box, but I chose 18 steps for a change.
Interestingly, there aren’t many shops that offer 18-step puzzle boxes.
From 18 steps and up, the mechanism usually involves movement on all four sides of the box, which makes the structure more complex. But even though the mechanism is more complicated, it only adds 4 more steps compared to a 14-step box. That might be why not many craftsmen choose to make it. Personally, I really like the 18-step mechanism 😄 I think I prefer it even more than the 21-step version.
From now on, I hope to release more original designs each month, if possible. This 4-sun 18-step box is the first in that new series.
The original yosegi pattern I created this month will include a number in the product name that indicates the date it was made. Since this design was created in July 2025, it will be labeled “202507”. I’ll also use this number to organize and store my product photos.
There’s still a bit of this yosegi pattern left, so I plan to use it for other boxes with different mechanisms as well.
Today, I started by building and assembling the structural frame of the box.
Because it’s an 18-step mechanism, I’m using mostly the same Aruki thickness and internal parts as I use for the 14-step boxes. I plan to make about 30 of them this time.
After that, I began preparing for the final coating of the Knock Box that I base-coated a few days ago.
The surface needs to be sanded before the final layer is applied. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to finish everything today due to time, but I think it should be completed within this week.
It’s been very hot every day, but in our area, the rainy season hasn’t officially ended yet.
So the weather forecast says we might see some rain later this week.
