What Art The Two Decorative Styles For Japanese Puzzle Boxes?

The first Japanese puzzle boxes were made in Japan’s Hakone region more than a hundred years ago. The traditional boxes were produced using the marquetry technique popular in the region. This technique naturally developed in the area considering the many varieties of trees that grew in Hakone, such as the wax tree, spindle tree, the Katsura-jindai tree, and cherry tree.

The different textures and colors of the woods allowed local craftsmen to create beautifully designed wooden pieces like toys, trays, bowls, and puzzle boxes. Zougan and Yosegi-Zaiku are the two known decorative styles of Japanese puzzle boxes. For more information visit Japan Craft .

Zougan

In the Zougan style the artisan first chisels out a certain shape into the surface of the Japanese puzzle box. He then creates detailed and ornate pictures inside the box by using very thin pieces of inlay.

Some of the most popular scenes depicted using this technique include Tobizuru (flying geese), Mt. Fuji, and Sansui (mountain lakes). This traditional art form originated and is still being practiced and produced in Hakone.

Yosegi-zaiku

The Yosegi-zaiku style is basically a mosaic woodwork often applied to smaller handicrafts like chests, trays, and puzzle boxes. Skilled artisans use the many types of trees in Hakone to make patterned blocks. They use the different colors, textures, and shapes to make their desired design. After gluing the pieces together, they shave the thin layer off and then apply it to the puzzle box.

In Japan’s Hakone-Odawara region, about 100 people are still producing traditional wooden products. Of these craftsmen, only 30 are making products using the Yosegi-Zaiku style and only 4 produce Moku-Zougan.

The Conventional Western Puzzle Boxes

Problem cartons are certainly still another name for amazing creativity that has been learned by the Japanese. They're foot square in proportion and have geometric routines and styles to them. They neither have some lock or any key. You can view the sides of the carton and you'll perhaps not find any slot from where you could open the box. That is why the puzzle cartons are often known as the secret cartons. These cartons demand a month to be produced and they can merely be made by 5 artisans in the world most of whom are seen in Asia.

You perform the problem and open the carton. This is a extremely amazing source to shield your stuff. Although it may appear the box cannot be exposed through any manner but that is not the case. It really is the strategy of the Japanese puzzle cartons; you solve the problem and open the carton.

Different-Colored wood pieces with a particular depth are gathered for making these cartons. The sheets are coated with glue and then various patterns are designed on them. Until they can be united into a box the wood sheets get numerous additional procedures.

Today, the Japanese solution puzzle boxes are being used as valuable memorabilia. Their coverage is accentuated through the World Wide Web and they are presently being created more in designs in addition to amount. Perhaps not only the Japanese, but folks owned by various countries and civilizations may also be located who have an interest in accumulating these conventional works of art.

Opening the problem carton is not simple. The designers have inserted some tricks which can surely frustrate the usual person. The slithering panels to the carton act otherwise at each level in the opening sequence. Those of you who are good at thinking outside the box might flourish in beginning the box.

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