Warashibe Wooden Secret Puzzle Box, 4 Sun 21 Steps, Japan Made, with Original Gift Box

Price: $64.99
(as of Jan 30, 2024 09:01:38 UTC – Details)

“Yosegi Secret Box” is a wonderful traditional Japanese miscellaneous item. It is popular as a souvenir of “Hakone”, one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations. There are many collectors not only in Japan but all over the world. It is a puzzle type box that can only be opened by sliding the surface of the box according to the procedure. We have a secret box for each difficulty level.
Origin and history:
It is a craft that can be created only in Hakone, which has abundant nature where various trees live. It is said that this box was originally made to hide valuables such as jewels and coins from thieves. The exact origin is unknown, but it has been confirmed to have existed at least at the end of the 18th century, and the puzzle book “Puzzle Old and New” published at the end of the 19th century contains many secret boxes.Due to the complicated structure, very few craftsmen can make traditional secret boxes in modern times.
Yosegi:
This is a traditional craft with a history of about 200 years. A major feature is the traditional geometric pattern that utilizes the color and grain of natural wood.
Unique pleasure:
This box has practicality and puzzle elements. You can use it in various ways depending on your ideas. When you put away something you don’t want to see at a glance, something important that is your own secret, a secret ring, a card, etc., this box will keep it for you with a dash of playfulness and uiqueness. Would you like to enrich your life through traditional Japanese crafts?
How to use:
Slide the surface of the box to open it. There is a direction and order to slide. It cannot be opened unless it is slid in this order. For details on how to open it, see the explanatory drawing included with the product!
Secret boxes are gimmick boxes with mechanisms that can be opened by sliding the faces in a specific order. The more you slide it, the harder it is to open. Warashibe Secret Boxes come in various numbers of steps. Keep your accessories and other precious little items in this unique box.
“Steps” mean the number of moves needed to open the box. “Sun” is a unit of length used in old Japan. 1 sun is about 3 cm, 3.03 cm to be exact and about 1.2 inches. The width of the “4 Sun” is about “11.8 cm” and “4.6 inches”. “5 Sun” is about “15.3 cm” and “6 inches”.
Yosegi which means “combined wood” is a traditional Japanese woodworking technique that combines various types of wood and create beautiful patterns using the differences in each shade. Japanese craftsmen meticulously make each one. Enjoy the traditional craftmanship in this beautiful, geometrically patterened mysterious box.
It comes in a box making it an ideal gift or souvenir for friends, loved ones, family or even to yourself. Detailed illistrations on how to unlock it is included.