Japanese Puzzle Boxes

The trick box. The secret box. The magic box, mystery box, personal box, puzzle box... No matter how you identify these traditional Japanese wonders, they are among the most intriguing and beautiful wooden art in the world.

The Himitsu-Bako (personal secret box) was designed over 100 years ago and continues to be produced in the Hakone-Odawara region of Japan. For more than three generations, local master wood workers have taken advantage of the wonderful variety and abundance of trees in this region. This extraordinary selection of high quality raw material is beautifully handcrafted by Japanese artisans. Stunning geometric patterns are created by using various combinations of natural colored woods, as are the traditional marquetry art pictures which adorn many Himitsu-Bako. The allure of the Japanese puzzle box extends well beyond it's entertaining characteristics. It is also treasured as a traditional Japanese art form.