Japanese Puzzle Boxes

Japanese puzzle boxes are also called Personal Secret Boxes and in Japanese they are called "Himitsu-Bako" These boxes are handmade and were originally designed over 100 years ago in the Hakone region of Japan. There are two very distinct things about these boxes. The first unique thing is that they are remarkable puzzles that take some effort to solve. And the second is the beautiful handcrafted work that they are made with. They use a variety of mosaic and geometric patterns laid in a marquette into the surfaces of the box. The look of them is very distinct and this marquette look is also used on other handcrafted items such as trays and chests.

Difficulty level of the boxes

The puzzle boxes run a wide range of difficulty levels which is often denoted by the number of moves it takes to open it. Some of the more common are 4, 7, 10, 14, and 21. And this isn't the limit to the difficult of the boxes. They can range up to a mind boggling 100 steps or more.

Other Designs

A more traditional puzzle box will have the typical maquetry layout which is very attractive but there are plenty of puzzle boxes that take the design in different directions and it is easy to find boxes that have typical japanese scenery on them such as Mount Fuji or Japanese Fans.

Japanese Puzzle Boxes are often given a Sun number such as 2 sun or 5 sun etc. This is a designation of the size of the box. Here is a chart that explains the sun sizes of the boxes:

Japanese Puzzle Boxes can be bought from Amazon.com. Here are some fine examples

Japanese Yosegi Puzzle Box

• Size: w 4.625" x h 2.25" x d 3.25"
• Beautiful craftsmanship originated in Japan's Edo Period
• Secret locking/unlocking mechanism used by Samurais
• Shipped in BeneGifts gift wrapping + free gift from us
• Rare and beautiful gift. Bene Gifts... for someone special.

Japanese Yosegi Puzzle Box 5 Sun 7 Moves

• Handmade by Japanese Yosegi masters in Hakone region
• Beautiful craftsmanship originated in Japan's Edo Period
• Secret locking/unlocking mechanism used by Samurais
• Rare and beautiful gift. Bene Gifts... for someone special.
• Shipped in BeneGifts gift wrapping + free gift from us

Puzzle Box with Secret Drawer - 5 Sun This box has a secret drawer. Even when you open it and see that it's empty inside - there is still one secret place left to hide something... Yosegi, or yosegi-zaiku, is a type of traditional Japanese mosaic woodwork which originated in Japans culturally rich Edo Period. Yosegi veneers are commonly found on the outside of Japanese secret boxes (Himitsu-Bako) or puzzle boxes, but may also be used to decorate many other items such as trays, chests, kendama, coasters, photo frames and jewelry boxes.This process is very intricate and timely. Yosegi Japanese puzzle boxes are high quality and are limited in production.

Puzzle Box - Japanese 2 Sun Cube

• Size: w 2" x h 2" x d 2"
• Decorated with Yosegi wooden mosaic
• Secret locking/unlocking mechanism used by Samurais
• Beautiful craftsmanship originated in Japan's Edo Period
• Rare and beautiful gift. Bene Gifts... for someone special.

Japanese Karakuri Puzzle Box

• Size: w 2.4" x h 1.8" x d 1.6"
• material: oak, katura, walnut
• 4 moves to open
• Modern continuation of original Himitsu-bako idea
• Handmade by Japanese Yosegi masters in Hakone region

Here is a video of several of my Japanese Puzzle Boxes. I show you them and tell you a little bit about them but I don't reveal how they are opened - just in case you want to buy one and figure it out yourself.

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