Looking at Himitsu-Bako through its tectonics

Himitsu-Bako can be justified as a form of micro architecture. Although it appears to be simplistic in its closed form, the secret of its intricacy lies within its tectonic structure. However, this structure is often viewed as a singular entity rather than the merging of two arts. In fact, each box is the combination of an individualized puzzle mechanism and inlay woodwork called Yosegi-Zaiku.

With much secrecy, only nine traditional craftsmen currently produce Himitsu-Bako. However, these craftsmen are not responsible for creating the Yosegi patterns that adorn the puzzles boxes, but the production of the mechanism that holds them together. This extensive process is typically done alone from beginning to end. Each craftsman is responsible for choosing their own wood, then allowing it to dry and curing it. Next, they are responsible for cutting all of the wood pieces and assembling them to create the challenging puzzle box. However, the steps required to assemble the boxes are only the first half of its tectonics. The second half lies in the fine inlay work that envelops each box.

Famous throughout Japan for its wide variety of trees, Hakone has many trees that are native to its area. The woods from these trees provide a colourful palette for the artists and negate the necessity of any stain, paint, or dye to give it colour. Much like the puzzle boxes themselves, the art of Yosegi has been handed down from generation to generation and continues to be handmade by traditional Japanese Yosegi masters in Japan.

This very precise process starts with gluing rods of different woods to form a preferred arrangement. The glued sticks are then cut into smaller sections and glued together to form sheets (tanegi). This process is repeated until the tanegi has an approximate thickness of 50mm and desired complete pattern. The tanegi is then shaved with a special plane into very thin sheets (zuku). From here, the curled zuku sheets are then ironed into flat sheets of veneer and are ready for application onto the boxes. The difference in texture and color is completely achieved through the choice of different species and qualities of wood providing an all nature finish.

Bridget, M2