Reviews - 12 steps Cube Natural wood 2 sun Japanese puzzle box Himitsu-bako - OKA CRAFT Japan

Japanese puzzle box by Hiroyuki Oka. Ship to Worldwide from Japan.

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Reviews [12 steps Cube Natural wood 2 sun Japanese puzzle box Himitsu-bako]

12 steps Cube Natural wood 2 sun Japanese puzzle box Himitsu-bako

12 steps Cube Natural wood 2 sun Japanese puzzle box Himitsu-bako [2c12n]

5.001 review

Price: US$60.00(tax included)

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1 review

5

A pretty cube box...but not only that!

30-Mar-2025 03:27:22

By lippatrice

This beautiful cube-shaped Himitsu Bako, with its double contrast of different wood colors and a larger band of nyatoh, makes it a visually pleasing box, as well as a pleasant one to hold.
The movements are fluid and precise as always. It also conceals a "slight" difference from other Himitsu Bako, as the craftsman says!
A slight, but very disturbing difference! The visual trap is disconcerting, and you have to think differently from other Himitsu Bako. A nice surprise! Thank you also for the daily blog, which is very rich in information on manufacturing and the many parameters for making a Himitsu Bako and other things. I always look forward to the new designs and the differences, as well as the manufacturing steps shown in the blog. See you soon, Hiroyuki.😊

Seller's response 11-May-2025 11:21:24

Thank you as always! Patrice, I'm very happy to read your review. I’m thinking about creating another puzzle box with a different kind of “visual trick” or “mechanism” from the usual type. For example, something that makes you think, “I opened it the usual way… but wait, it’s different!”I believe people like you, who know puzzle boxes well, would really enjoy it. See you again soon!

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Craftsman

Name: Hiroyuki Oka

Hello everyone. I was born in Odawara City, Japan, and have been making these puzzle boxes for over 20 years. My workshop is located in Odawara City. Since I create each box by myself, it might take some time to restock sold-out items. Please be patient. Additionally, I occasionally make unique boxes that are not sold on other sites, so please check back here from time to time. I also write a blog on this site from Monday to Friday, I would be delighted if you read it. Enjoy my puzzle boxes! Hiroyuki

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/okapuzzlebox/

Hakone Town and Odawara City in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, are renowned for producing Japanese puzzle boxes, also known as Himitsu-bako. This type of woodwork has been passed down through generations, with its origins tracing back to the Edo or Meiji era (around 1870). The puzzle box operates through a series of sliding panels; when moved in the correct sequence, the lid opens, creating a true puzzle.The number of movements required to open the lid determines the name of the box. Additionally, the length of the longest panel is measured and included in the name. For reference, 1-sun equals 3 centimeters.These puzzle boxes are often decorated with traditional Hakone and Odawara artwork known as Yosegi-zaiku or wood inlaid work (Zogan). Thinly sliced pieces of Yosegi are meticulously pasted onto the box, serving both as decoration and to maintain the proper function of the puzzle box. In other words This decoration not only enhances the aesthetics but also provides protection.Creating a Japanese puzzle box requires perseverance and advanced craftsmanship. Despite their intellectually engaging design and functionality, they are far from mechanical. The feel and sound of the sliding wood are simple and gentle, adding to the charm of the Japanese puzzle box.

Craftsman