Product List          Caring for a Secret Box

The "Secret Box" has a hidden compartment. In order to open the box,  the sides of the box must be moved in a certain order to open the box and the same number of moves in reverse to close the box.

"Yosegi" means joined or gathered wood.

The mosaic patterns in most Yosegi woodcraft is produce by taking sections of various hardwoods with various colors, gluing them together to form geometric patterns, and slicing into thin strips which are then glued onto boxes and other handicraft works. A lacquer finish coating is then applied.

Parquetry wood patterns (also known as marquetry) as seen on the "Secret Box" is created by the gluing of various woods together to form a pattern, pressing the wood in a vise, then shaving off the pattern into thin paper strips which are then glued onto the finished product. The shaving tool used by these craftsman is over 100 years old and still is able to make paper thin cuts.

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The Mt. Fuji design pattern for the 10 and 14 movement "Secret Box" is inlaid onto the wood surface. The 10 Step model makes a sound as each slide is moved. This is accomplished by the use of a wire placed strategically at each slide movement, making a sound similar to a "music box".  A similar sound feature is also available in a 10 step Medium-Sized Secret Box.

Each Secret box is enclosed in it's original wrapper, for protection, and has never been opened. Between the wrapper and the box is a sheet of paper (in Japanese) describing the secret moves to open the box. A pictorial diagram is on the sheet showing the opening steps in the numerical order that should be followed. The box will not close properly, if the reverse numerical order is not followed.

Note: The craftsmanship of the Secret Boxes may make the first few openings and closings of the box slightly more difficult in a high humidity or high temperature area. This is due to the box having a very tight fit when assembled, and increased humidity or heat may slightly expand the wood.

Caring for the Secret Box

Use a soft, dry cloth to clean and polish. 

Do not expose to excessive sunshine, moisture or heat.

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