21-step Aruki panels
I started today with the making of the Aruki (moving panels) for the 4.2-sun 21-step puzzle box. After that, I applied the final coat of finish to the 2-sun cube puzzle boxes.
If you look closely, you might notice that it closely resembles the aruki panel of the 18-step puzzle box.
The thickness of the boards and the stepped processing dimensions are the same. The only differences are the lengths of the top and bottom, as well as the width. I believe this makes for a more stable size compared to the 4-sun box I had in mind. However, since the dimensions have increased, the cost has also risen, which has led to a higher selling price—sorry!😅 That said, I see this as an improvement for creating a better product, so I appreciate your understanding.
By the way, a vendor from Hakone visited my workshop today to pick up a delivery of Japanese puzzle boxes for Hakone. This time, I created a uniquely designed boxes specifically for Hakone. those may be sold in Hakone shops or even online.
During our conversation, the vendor mentioned that 4-sun size puzzle boxes are being sold in large quantities and that the market is becoming saturated, leading to price competition (selling as cheaply as possible). The 4-sun box is relatively easy for craftsmen to make, so many are being produced. As a result, stores seem to be accumulating more stock than before.
Despite this, craftsmen continue to make them, which then leads to efforts to lower prices in order to sell off inventory.
So why do they continue to make the same boxes? The answer is quite clear to me: "Because it's easier to make the same thing."
Making a Japanese puzzle box requires various tools, and sometimes jigs (unique tools) are used. These jigs are designed specifically for each type of puzzle box. If a craftsman wants to create boxes in different shapes or with different numbers of moves, they must modify or completely remake these jigs each time. This significantly lowers production efficiency and is also quite bothersome for the craftsmen themselves.
As a result, most craftsmen prefer not to make changes and would rather continue producing the same type of box. For example, even if a retailer requests, "Can you make a box like this?" a craftsman might respond with, "No, it's too much trouble!" or "It’s not cost-effective." Because of this, the same types of boxes keep increasing in number. I have always tried to respond to retailers' requests for unique puzzle boxes. This approach has led to the creation of boxes like the "hexagon puzzle box" and the "double-compartment puzzle box." Many of these designs were born from the voices of Hakone retailers.
Today, I had a conversation with the Hakone vendor about this topic, and we agreed to continue creating unique Japanese puzzle boxes in the future😄
If you look closely, you might notice that it closely resembles the aruki panel of the 18-step puzzle box.
The thickness of the boards and the stepped processing dimensions are the same. The only differences are the lengths of the top and bottom, as well as the width. I believe this makes for a more stable size compared to the 4-sun box I had in mind. However, since the dimensions have increased, the cost has also risen, which has led to a higher selling price—sorry!😅 That said, I see this as an improvement for creating a better product, so I appreciate your understanding.
By the way, a vendor from Hakone visited my workshop today to pick up a delivery of Japanese puzzle boxes for Hakone. This time, I created a uniquely designed boxes specifically for Hakone. those may be sold in Hakone shops or even online.
During our conversation, the vendor mentioned that 4-sun size puzzle boxes are being sold in large quantities and that the market is becoming saturated, leading to price competition (selling as cheaply as possible). The 4-sun box is relatively easy for craftsmen to make, so many are being produced. As a result, stores seem to be accumulating more stock than before.
Despite this, craftsmen continue to make them, which then leads to efforts to lower prices in order to sell off inventory.
So why do they continue to make the same boxes? The answer is quite clear to me: "Because it's easier to make the same thing."
Making a Japanese puzzle box requires various tools, and sometimes jigs (unique tools) are used. These jigs are designed specifically for each type of puzzle box. If a craftsman wants to create boxes in different shapes or with different numbers of moves, they must modify or completely remake these jigs each time. This significantly lowers production efficiency and is also quite bothersome for the craftsmen themselves.
As a result, most craftsmen prefer not to make changes and would rather continue producing the same type of box. For example, even if a retailer requests, "Can you make a box like this?" a craftsman might respond with, "No, it's too much trouble!" or "It’s not cost-effective." Because of this, the same types of boxes keep increasing in number. I have always tried to respond to retailers' requests for unique puzzle boxes. This approach has led to the creation of boxes like the "hexagon puzzle box" and the "double-compartment puzzle box." Many of these designs were born from the voices of Hakone retailers.
Today, I had a conversation with the Hakone vendor about this topic, and we agreed to continue creating unique Japanese puzzle boxes in the future😄
