13-Sep-2024
Today, I am painting the square Japanese puzzle box with a one-point yosegi design. The photo shows the box after the undercoating, and I will be applying the final coat today. The one-point yosegi design for this square box turned out as shown in the photo. The size of the one-point yosegi sheet is the same as that used for a 3-sun box. I create two sizes of one-point yosegi sheet: one for 3-sun boxes and one for 4-sun boxes. The 3-sun yosegi is approximately 3 cm, and the 4-sun version is about 4 cm square.
The design of this square box turned out to be very simple. The materials used are Agathis wood, Hinoki wood, and Shina plywood. In many cases, darker woods tend to be more popular overseas, such as walnut wood, rosewood, and mahogany wood. I have often received requests for boxes made with darker wood. So, I’m not sure if lighter woods like the ones used this time will be popular, but they are very suitable for making Japanese puzzle boxes. These lighter, softer woods are excellent for crafting the mechanisms in Himitsu-bako, and they also align with the image I have for the himitsu-bako.
In recent years, the market price of wood has increased, and some types of wood have become more scarce. There are even some woods that are no longer available. With this in mind, I see this box as one that can continue to be reproduced. Hinoki wood is a representative wood of Japan, and as long as it is not in large sizes, it should remain steadily available. This wood is also needed in the construction industry, and the government appears to be actively planting more trees.
Today, I have listed this puzzle box in my shop, so please feel free to take a look.
Today, I received a message from the lumber shop I always order from, informing me that Agathis wood is scheduled to arrive next month. I had ordered Agathis wood from them last month, but it was out of stock. However, it seems it will be available in October. A few years ago (before COVID-19), Agathis wood was widely available on the market. However, in recent years, even lumber shops have struggled to secure stock as it has become scarce. This wood is essential for my current puzzle box production, so I must obtain it. I’m relieved that it will finally arrive. However, the price is now about 1.5 times higher than before COVID-19, which is quite a blow…🤣
