05-Nov-2024
Today, I was out for an errand, so I only made a bit of progress in the workshop. I attached the other side of the Kannuki-panel on the 5-sun 27-step Japanese puzzle box. The process was the same as yesterday’s, and with today’s humidity around 50%, it was good weather for gluing the panels—even on surfaces prone to small gaps.
I haven’t worked on anything else today, so I’d like to introduce one of my past creations. Although I’m not currently producing this particular piece, I’ll be making a limited batch at the request of a shop, likely sometime this month or next month. The design will likely follow one of the two shown in this photo. It’s 2-sun size—rare among my boxes, that is, as other maker (craftsmen) produce many boxes in this size.
I do make 2-sun cubes, but I don’t produce the standard 2-sun size. The 2-sun size—about 6 cm or 2.4 inches—is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, requiring precise and meticulous work. Creating these boxes demands advanced skill, especially when attaching the Kannuki panels to the Aruki panels on the sides. This step involves careful gluing, as any excess glue can cause the mechanisms to stick and prevent them from moving.
The mechanism for this box will be a 7-step puzzle. In the past, I’ve created other variations with 4, 10, or even 12 steps, but I believe that for this size, a 7-step mechanism works best. While it’s possible to create a 12-step puzzle in this size, the mechanism becomes very intricate, and the interior space is significantly reduced, which may not be ideal. Additionally, many customers purchase these smaller boxes as entry-level items, so keeping the price accessible is essential. If I were to make a 12-step version, the price would increase, so a 7-step design helps keep costs down.
Many customers who experience their first puzzle box with this 7-step design often go on to purchase larger boxes with more steps. Since this box is small enough to fit in a pocket, many people also use it as a gift case. Due to its limited internal space, customers often place rings or small accessories inside. Quite a few customers have even purchased this box to use for a marriage proposal with a ring inside!😊
