Kannuki panels
It has been raining since this morning, continuing from last night, and the humidity has been quite high. Despite the weather, I worked on attaching the Kannuki panel (slide key) today. Since I had already made the Kannuki panel yesterday, today I attached it to the main box using the bocchi(small wood parts) parts, and then shaved the surface to make it completely flat.
Now the Kannuki panel is ready to be attached, but I want to check the humidity levels in the evening before deciding whether to do it today. For now, I plan to attach the panel to the more stable side of the 3-sun box, since it’s less affected by humidity. As for the 5-sun box, if I can’t attach the panel today, I’ll do it tomorrow. Because the 5-sun box is larger, it’s more sensitive to changes in humidity and weather. The side with the Kannuki in particular tends to warp easily, so I need to be careful. It’s better to do the attachment work on a dry day whenever possible.
Now that I’ve been focused on these two types of boxes for a while, I’d like to get back to working on the “knock box,” which I had put aside. Today, I worked on installing magnets into the holes I had made earlier in the Aruki panel. As you can see in the photo, I press the magnet in until it’s completely embedded. Just pressing it in isn’t enough, though—it can come loose. So I also fix it in place with glue. This time, I’m not using the usual wood glue I use for making puzzle boxes. Instead, I’m using a urethane-based adhesive. This type of glue works not only on wood but also on metal, glass, and other materials. However, it takes 24 hours to fully cure. Well, I believe this box shouldn’t be rushed, so that’s not a problem. It’s been a while since I worked on this one, and rushing might lead to mistakes.
Today, the outer boxes I had ordered for the 3-sun puzzle boxes arrived. In Japan, these kinds of boxes are called "Haribako" (paper-covered boxes). Along with the development of traditional crafts in this region, many artisans once specialized in making these paper boxes. However, nowadays, only a few workshops remain. Unlike mass-produced plastic cases, each haribako is carefully made by hand. In many cases, the boxes are made in family-run workshops, with the work done only by family members. These boxes are essential for storing and protecting the puzzle boxes we make. And even if we only order a small number, they are willing to make them to fit the exact size of our creations. I truly hope these artisans continue their important work.
Wishing you a great weekend!
Now the Kannuki panel is ready to be attached, but I want to check the humidity levels in the evening before deciding whether to do it today. For now, I plan to attach the panel to the more stable side of the 3-sun box, since it’s less affected by humidity. As for the 5-sun box, if I can’t attach the panel today, I’ll do it tomorrow. Because the 5-sun box is larger, it’s more sensitive to changes in humidity and weather. The side with the Kannuki in particular tends to warp easily, so I need to be careful. It’s better to do the attachment work on a dry day whenever possible.
Now that I’ve been focused on these two types of boxes for a while, I’d like to get back to working on the “knock box,” which I had put aside. Today, I worked on installing magnets into the holes I had made earlier in the Aruki panel. As you can see in the photo, I press the magnet in until it’s completely embedded. Just pressing it in isn’t enough, though—it can come loose. So I also fix it in place with glue. This time, I’m not using the usual wood glue I use for making puzzle boxes. Instead, I’m using a urethane-based adhesive. This type of glue works not only on wood but also on metal, glass, and other materials. However, it takes 24 hours to fully cure. Well, I believe this box shouldn’t be rushed, so that’s not a problem. It’s been a while since I worked on this one, and rushing might lead to mistakes.
Today, the outer boxes I had ordered for the 3-sun puzzle boxes arrived. In Japan, these kinds of boxes are called "Haribako" (paper-covered boxes). Along with the development of traditional crafts in this region, many artisans once specialized in making these paper boxes. However, nowadays, only a few workshops remain. Unlike mass-produced plastic cases, each haribako is carefully made by hand. In many cases, the boxes are made in family-run workshops, with the work done only by family members. These boxes are essential for storing and protecting the puzzle boxes we make. And even if we only order a small number, they are willing to make them to fit the exact size of our creations. I truly hope these artisans continue their important work.
Wishing you a great weekend!
