16-Sep-2024
Today is “Respect for the Aged Day” in Japan, a national holiday. As a result, many businesses are closed. However, I have come to my workshop to work on a few tasks.
I am currently working on two different types of 3-sun 12-step Japanese puzzle boxes simultaneously. The two designs are the traditional yosegi/walnut type and the one-point yosegi type (photos). For the one-point yosegi type, I am making a few extra boxes beyond what is needed. I plan to apply kanji character designs to some of these extra boxes instead of the one-point yosegi pattern. In the past, I have sold 3-sun boxes with kanji designs, and this time, I will do the same. In addition to the most popular design, “Zen” I’m thinking of adding “Shinobi” a design that I haven’t used on the 3-sun boxes before. Although the kanji design is printed rather than made of wood or parquetry, it has been very popular. It could also be a unique decorative item that evoke a sense of Japan.
Additionally, I have resumed work on the 2-sun cube 7-step Japanese puzzle boxes starting today. The structural parts of these boxes were completed last month, so now all that remains is to apply the outer panels.This time, I’m simultaneously working on three designs: solid wood, Ichimatsu (checkered pattern), and traditional yosegi. The process differs slightly depending on whether the lid panel is made from solid wood or if it uses sheets like the Ichimatsu or traditional yosegi, so it can get a bit complicated. However, since the mechanism (7-step) is the same, I’m making them together this time.
By the way, the kanji design boxes will not be sold on this site for now and will only be available at my Etsy shop. I’ll let you know once they’re finished, so please check out my Etsy shop😊
