Reviews - Smallest 12 steps Yosegi 1 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 [Smallest 12 steps Yosegi 1 sun Japanese puzzle box Himitsu-bako]

Smallest 12 steps Yosegi 1 sun Japanese puzzle box Himitsu-bako

Smallest 12 steps Yosegi 1 sun Japanese puzzle box Himitsu-bako [s12y]

5.001 review

Price: US$72.00(tax included)

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1 review

5

so small with sliding keys

15-Jun-2025 03:11:40

By lippatrice

This tiny box is already astonishing by its size, which is slightly wider and taller but has the same length as a box itself, but it has two sliding keys that allow it to be opened in 12 steps! The small keys work perfectly and smoothly. Decorated with a magnificent Yosegi, it is a joy to handle such a pretty little box. Thank you always for writing your daily blog about the design, the manufacturing parameters, future projects, and many other things!
Good luck, Hiroyuki, for future designs and projects.👍🏻

Seller's response 15-Jun-2025 10:27:33

Thank you, as always, for your wonderful review! I'm so happy that you liked the small box. Making this box takes a lot of patience, and recently, my npresbyopia has made the work a bit more difficult..haha..😂 but it’s still one of the boxes I truly want to keep making. Thank you also for always reading my blog. Crafting Himitsu-bako is very deep and full of discovery. I hope I can continue to share that world with you. See you again soon and thank you once again!

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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