Ichimatsu
I sometimes use "Ichimatsu" design (checkered pattern) as a decoration of Himitsu-bako. Here is one I made some time ago (photo), the pieces of solid ichimatsu yosegi on the top panel of a 4 sun box. The thickness is about 2 mm, and the long laminated six types of wood is cut into 2 mm pieces. I have some of this ichimatsu yosegi left so I am thinking of making this 4 sun box again.
Ichimatsu is a person's name, and it came to be called "Ichimatsu" after the Edo period Kabuki actor "Ichimatsu Sanogawa" wore a Kabuki costume with this pattern on stage. He was a popular actor, so it became popular among women to wear kimonos with the patterns (Ichimatsu) of his costumes.
The three-dimensional yosegi on the puzzle box doesn't function as a puzzle mechanism, but it's cute and popular. By the way, there is also a hexagonal version, which is also (Tiny Mame box) very popular.
Ichimatsu is a person's name, and it came to be called "Ichimatsu" after the Edo period Kabuki actor "Ichimatsu Sanogawa" wore a Kabuki costume with this pattern on stage. He was a popular actor, so it became popular among women to wear kimonos with the patterns (Ichimatsu) of his costumes.
The three-dimensional yosegi on the puzzle box doesn't function as a puzzle mechanism, but it's cute and popular. By the way, there is also a hexagonal version, which is also (Tiny Mame box) very popular.
