Aug 20, 2025
The hot days continue, and in some regions there have even been heavy rains caused by the heat, which is a bit worrying. In my area, however, it hasn’t rained again for a while, and we would really welcome a little rain.
This morning, I finished the work on 4-sun boxes and 2-sun cube boxes. Both were completed successfully and are now waiting for the painting process. Also, today I finished 2-sun 7-steps puzzle boxes. Most of the boxes I made this time were made-to-order items, but I also have a few in stock of the Agathis wood and traditional Yosegi combination design. I plan to put these on my website today. In addition, I made two extra pieces of the walnut and Yosegi type, which I listed on another online shop.
It has been a long time since I last made a 2-sun box, and because of its special structure, it took me a while to remember the process. Since I only make this type once every few years, I hope I can increase the number of times I produce them in the future. Because I haven’t made them for such a long time, I still have many outer gift boxes in stock for this puzzle box. Finally, I can use them 😁 These were ordered a long time ago. So, instead of the recent blue gift box, this one comes with the older type that has the “Sayagata” pattern on the lid (photo). The washi paper used for that lid is no longer made by the paper company, which is why I switched to the blue design.
These days, detailed and elaborate items (like this washi paper) are disappearing one after another. I think this Japanese puzzle box is one of the rare works that still remain as a truly time-consuming craft.
I am currently making 3-sun 12-steps puzzle boxes, and today I worked on attaching the parts. Tomorrow, I plan to start making the Aruki panels.
This time, the order includes boxes for an overseas shop, but I am also thinking of adding a “character” box series again, which I haven’t made in a while. I have created boxes with various characters in the past, but “Zen” has always been popular, and I sometimes still receive requests for it 😊
