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Archive for the 'Our Products' Category

Japanese Puzzle Boxes

Wednesday, January 9th, 2008

About Our Japanese Puzzle Boxes

Our puzzle boxes are each individually handcrafted in the city of Hakone, Japan and imported by us directly from the artists offering the best quality and pricing available. The skills have been passed down through the generations since the Edo Period. Each box comes with instructions on how to open the box, but give it a try first. The size of each box is measured in “Sun”. See chart below for conversion. 

> Click Here for a Glossary of Terms used in Japanese Puzzle Boxes <


Puzzle Box Size Conversion Chart

Sun Size Size in MM Size in CM Size in Inches
1 sun / mame 45 mm 4.5 cm 1.75 inches
2 sun 60 mm 6 cm 2.4 inches
2.5 sun 75 mm 7.5 cm 3 inches
3 sun 90 mm 9 cm 3.6 inches
4 sun 120 mm 12 cm 4.8 inches
5 sun 150 mm 15 cm 6 inches
6 sun 180 mm 18 cm 7.2 inches
7 sun 210 mm 21 cm 8.4 inches

How they are Made

The mountains surrounding Hakone, Japan contain a very wide assortment of trees, the wood of which comes in a wide variety of colors and shades. The colors seen in our puzzle boxes are all natural and no dyes are used.Wood from the various trees are cut into slices, cylinders, and other shapes. These shapes are then glued together to form different patterns. This process is repeated until it reaches a size that will cover the top of one of the boxes. The laminated wood is then sliced using a special wood plane to produce thin veneer. This veneer is applied to the puzzle boxes. How the boxes themselves are made (the steps required to open) is a very well guarded family secret. Each workshop and artist has developed their own system for making the boxes.

Tree Species by Color (these are just a few)

Color Species
White Spindle Tree, Ilex Macropoda, Mizuki
Black Aged Katsura, Kurogaki, Japanese Judas Tree
Yellow Sumac, Mulberry, Nigaki
Brown Camphor, Maackia, Japanese Pagoda Tree, Kurogaki
Purple American Walnut
Blue Japanese Cucumber Tree
Red Chinese Cedar

> Click Here for complete list of wood used along with pictures <


The History of the Art

Hakone has long been known as a stopping point along the famous Tokaido Road. The steep hills and mountains surrounding Hakone made it a natural place for travelers to stop and rest before continuing on to their destination. Over the years, many services were made available to the travelers including hotels and resorts. Because of the sporadic traffic, the people in Hakone needed something to occupy their time and add to their income.The huge assortment of natural wood became the perfect base material for arts and crafts that developed. The Japanese Puzzle Boxes actually merge two different crafts into one. The first being the art of marquetry and the second being the design of the puzzle box and the moves required to open them.

> Click Here to see Hakone as pictured in the 53 Stations by Hiroshige <


Product Details

Pictured here is a close-up of a Yosegi patterned box. This is the most popular of designs. First, as many as a dozen different patterns are created. These patterns are then connected making an amazing marquetry sheet made from as many as a thousand tiny pieces. These thin marquetry sheets are applied to the outside of the box. Our Muku boxes are made from solid wood rather than veneer and the pattern goes all the way through the box. The designs of the Muku boxes are not as detailed as the marquetry boxes, but still beautiful all the same.

> Click Here for pictures of the most popular patterns <


Care and Handling

As with any items made from wood they will swell when exposed to high temperatures, liquids, or humidity. Japanese puzzle boxes should be protected from extremes in temperature and humidity. The inside of your home or office is fine, just keep them away from direct sunlight.To clean the boxes, simply wipe with a clean cloth. There is a protective finish applied to each box, so there beauty and color will last for years with virtually no maintenance. We recommend that you do not use furniture polish on the boxes. If you wish to use a polish on the box, spray it first, very lightly onto the cloth to prevent to polish from accumulating in the seams of the puzzle box which could make that wood swell and become more difficult to open. 

> Click Here to shop our Japanese Puzzle Boxes <




Holiday Gifts for the Women on your list…

Tuesday, November 21st, 2006

This year buy her something she won’t be expecting. Choose from our selection of over 7,000 different unique and unusual gifts from the Far East. We have Silk Scarves and Shawls from Thailand. Exotic Jewelry from Bali, Thailand, and Russia, If she likes to drink tea - we have Tea Sets, Tea Cups, Asian Tea, and even Books on Tea for her to read; and a great assortment of Home Decor gift items. We provide Free Gift Wrapping for any occasions. Let us know what the holiday or occasion is and we will select the appropriate wrapping paper and enclose a personalized card if you wish.

Click here for gift ideas for the women on your list




Holiday Gifts for the Men on your list…

Tuesday, November 21st, 2006

This year buy him something he won’t be expecting. Choose from our selection of over 7,000 different unique and unusual handcrafted gifts, arts and crafts from the Far East. We have Dragons and Foo Lions in Brass and Jade, Tribal Masks from Bali, Chinese Snuff Bottles, and many other unusual gift items. We provide Free Gift Wrapping for any occasions. Let us know what the holiday or occasion is and we will select the appropriate wrapping paper and enclose a personalized card if you wish.

Click here for gift ideas for the men on your list




Unique Corporate Gift Ideas

Tuesday, November 21st, 2006


Tired of sending your best customers and employees the same tired holiday gifts? This year, try something they will never forget. Choose from our amazing selection of Sushi and Sake Sets, Beautiful Vases from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Peru, Nicaragua, and Mexico. Over 7,000 different Arts & Crafts available at affordable prices. Each year we work with every type of business from small and medium size to Fortune 500 companies. Investment Firms, pharmaceutical Companies, Casinos, Law Firms, Retail Chains; we have provided products for all of them.

Click here to visit our site




10% off All Sake Sets

Tuesday, November 21st, 2006


Save an additional 10% off all our Japanese Sake Sets. Choose from our wide variety of hand crafted designs imported from Japan. Matching Sushi Sets and bowls also available.

These make great Holiday Gifts.

View our Japanese Sake Sets …




20% off all Jingdezhen Porcelain Vases and more

Tuesday, November 21st, 2006


Now on sale is an amazing collection of Jingdezhen porcelain vases and tea sets from one of the finest workshops in the world. Unfortunately, the artist that creates these masterpieces for us has decided to retire. This will be our last shipment, and your last chance to own one of the great works of art. Our selection includes Blue and White underglaze, Yellow and White, Carved Celadon, Wucai, Famille Rose, and Yaobian glazes. The holidays are right around the corner and these will make truly one of a kind gifts.

Our selection includes dozens of great designs.

See our Selection of Jingdezhen Porcelain …




Batik Tapestries Now on Sale

Tuesday, November 21st, 2006


Batik is the art of waxing and dyeing fabric to create beautiful works of art.

See our selection of Batik Tapestries




Kuna Molas now on Sale - 20% OFF

Tuesday, November 21st, 2006


Save an extra 20% on our selection of Kuna Molas from Panama.
The designs on the molas are inspired by traditional themes from Kuna legends and culture handed down from generation to generation. Molas are made using a difficult fabric layering technique called reverse appliqué. This process requires excellent design imagination… patience… and finely honed stitching skills. Handcrafted by the Kuna Indians in Panama..

See our selection of Kuna Mola…




THE ARTIST – KIYOHIRO TORII

Monday, November 13th, 2006

If you were to look back to the earliest Ukiyo-e woodblock prints, you would see that only Sumi ink was used, which was black. This particular ink was created by mixing soot with water. Because of the ink, the woodblock prints were called Sumizuri-e. However, from 1704 to 1715 during the Kanei and Shotoku periods, mineral pigment was used to create two to three colors, which was then called Tan-e.
Over the next 15 years during the Kyoho period, vegetable pigment was used. This ink was created from using Beni, which is a type of safflower, giving the prints a slight look of transparency. The prints using vegetable pigment soon changed to Beni-e, which resulted in prints that were brushed by hand but simply beautiful.Read More…




THE ARTIST – KIYONAGA

Monday, November 13th, 2006

Known as Torii Kiyonaga, some of the greatest Bijinga prints created during the latter part of the 19th century were done by this Japanese Ukiyo-e printmaker and painter. He began his career in the world of art in 1752, continuing until 1815. Having attended the Torii School, his name had been changed from Sekiguchi Shinsuke. His father was a bookseller in Edo.
Torii Kiyonaga was so well regarded by his master Torii that after the master’s death, he took over the school. Soon, he became recognized as one of the greatest masters of Nishiki-e, which is full-color print, as well as Bijinga, which are images of beautiful women. In addition, Torii Kiyonaga also focused some of his work on Kabuki actors and theatrical scenes, which were often used to help promote the theater and/or the show being performed.
One of Torii Kiyonaga’s legacies is that while he had a common upbringing, his paintings are exceptional and beautifully detailed. Many of the beautiful women shown in Torii Kiyonaga’s prints are seen are full and mature while his predecessor Harunobu, preferred to paint thin, young women. The bottom line is that both men had different tastes. However, it is also believed that since larger sheets of paper where used, it allowed better depiction.
Over time, another artist appeared on the scene by the name of Utamaro. He too painted woodblock prints of beautiful women but even fuller and more mature than what you saw from Torii Kiyonaga. While the paintings of women were gorgeous, the Kabuki scenes were somewhat on the plain side but still high in demand. Keep in mind that during this time, many of the other Japanese artists began painting actors but Torii Kiyonaga chose to stick with scenes and beautiful women.
By the late 18th century, Kiyonaga’s work had matured. At this time, he created a number of masterpieces, again featuring full, mature, and beautiful women, along with theatrical scenes. While his work is of high artist quality, the fact that he was the first Asian artist to create perfect designs of full-length portraits shot him to success and fame.




THE ARTIST – KUNISADA

Monday, November 13th, 2006

Kochoro Kunisada was a Japanese artist famous for his woodblock prints. During the Ukiyo-e period, many of these prints focused on the “floating world” image. Kunisada was particularly focused on this genre. For instance, one of his most famous woodblock prints is called Beauty with a Letter; Juronin with a Deer. What you would see in this case is a Buddha floating above the beauty. In this case, woodblock prints such as this were often associated with the Buddhist believe with the floatation being the illusory quality of life.
Typically, woodblock prints focused had a distinct focus on festivals and changing seasons, rituals, landscapes, and illustrations of poetry. However, at the end of the Edo period, all prints made had to be approved by the Japanese government prior to releasing and selling. With Kunisada, he would often take everyday scenes and transform them into something peaceful and serene.
In one instance, Kunisada added a dog, coupled with a beautiful woman sitting while reading a letter. However, the depiction in the woodblock print was the dog wanting to play, thus asking for her attention. In addition, you would see, as the dog is trying to interrupt the woman, she envisions Buddha in her mind, which signifies the value and honor of religion.
The interesting thing about Kunisada’s work is the influence of Buddha. Keep in mind that many woodblock prints were focused on people or scenes, not religion. Therefore, his special skill makes the demand for his prints much higher. This versatility has imprinted his name on Japanese history, making him one of the most interesting artist’s of this time.




New shipment of Mammoth Ivory Netsuke

Wednesday, October 25th, 2006


Over 100 new Mammoth Ivory netsuke were just added to our site yesterday. They are also currently on sale.




Jingdezhen Porcelain

Wednesday, October 25th, 2006


Just added to our site today is an amazing collection of Jingdezhen porcelain vases and tea sets from one of the finest workshops in the world. Unfortunately, the artist that creates these masterpieces for us has decided to retire. This will be our last shipment, and your last chance to own one of the great works of art.

Our selection includes Blue and White underglaze, Yellow and White, Carved Celadon, Wucai, Famille Rose, and Yaobian glazes.

The holidays are right around the corner and these will make truly one of a kind gifts.




More Chinese Fans - New Designs

Wednesday, October 25th, 2006


We just received a huge shipment of hand painted Chinese Fans. New designs include Panda Bears, Geishas, and lots of different scenes from the Chinese landscape.




Paper Sculpture from China

Tuesday, October 10th, 2006


Paper sculpture in the form of fans lanterns and ornaments has existed since the 1st century when paper was first invented. China introduced paper to Japan in the 7th century. This is where the three dimensional art of paper folding and origami came from. Paper remains a popular medium for artists all over the world. These wonderful framed paper sculptures are made from 100% rag and archival papers. The assortment of papers used are selected for their color weight and texture. For many sculptures additional color is applied as well as extra texture in the form of engravings and embossing. Each piece is an extraordinary piece of art handcrafted in China.




Jade Sculptures

Tuesday, October 10th, 2006


We just added a great selection of Jade Sculptures to our website. Choose from Tang Horses, Dragons, Foo Dogs, Money Frogs, and more.




20% off Inside Painted Snuff Bottles

Tuesday, October 10th, 2006


Save an additional 20% off all our Inside Painted Snuff Bottles. Choose from dozens of different designs. Each bottle is hand painted in one of the finest workshops in China.




15% off all Japanese Woodblock Prints

Tuesday, October 10th, 2006


Save an extra 15% on all Woodblock Prints. Choose from prints by Hiroshige, Hokusai, Utamaro, and more. New prints will also be added soon. Japanese Woodblock Print created by the Fukui Asajido Company in Kyoto Japan using the old world techniques.




Mammoth Ivory Netsuke now On Sale

Tuesday, October 10th, 2006


All Mammoth Ivory Netsuke are now on sale. Save an additional 15% off our already low prices. We have nearly 200 different designs in stock with nearly 100 more being added over the next few days. Be sure to check early and often for the best selection.




Tagua Carvings now on Sale

Tuesday, October 10th, 2006


Save an extra 20% on our selection of Tagua Carvings from Panama and Ecuador. Two unique styles of design, and over 100 pieces to choose from.