Yoshio Okiyama - 7 Sun 119 Move Japanese Secret Puzzle Box by Yoshio Okiyama

New 7 Sun 119 Move Japanese Secret Box

 

Listed for sale is one of the most complex Traditional Himitsu-Bako ever offered in an auction setting like this. These boxes were designed and crafted by the late Mr. Yoshio Okiyama. He is considered to be one of the great Masters of this craft. Only 8 of these ultra-rare boxes of the 119 move box series were made by Mr. Okiyama. In all only 27 of these boxes were made, 19 in the Utamaro design and 8 in this design called Yosegi-Zougan.

 

Being only one of the 8 boxes in this design makes this box the most rare of the 7 Sun 119 Move boxes ever made not to mention it could be the box with the fewest number of boxes ever made in a set of any kind of box! These boxes come in a special protective box wrapped in raw silk and the designs on the protective box which is made of Katsura is one of the well known Yosegi patterns such as Akaasa, Kuroasa, Hineri, Jindai Saya  and Sansyoku Kikko. (Protective box included will be covered with the Yosegi design called Jindai-Saya) These boxes were made by Mr. Yoshikazu Goto. A 5^th generation Craftsman from Odawara and direct descendant of one of the men Takajiro Ohkawa discussed the design that became the first modern Himitsu-Bako, The Yamanaka patriarch at the time was the other craftsman who helped with the design of this infamous box dated to 1894 by historians.

 

The 7 Sun 119 Move box is approximately 8.5" X 6" X 4.5" it is made of Katsura and is the culmination of 15 years of Mr. Okiyama working on the best design with the most complexity. Having seen the 122 the 125 move and examined each box the, 125 inside out, it is my opinion that the 119 move box fit the requirements Mr. Okiyama was searching for as the box befitting the lifetime he spent creating some of the most interesting puzzle boxes the world has ever seen from a Master Craftsman from Japan. The box has a huge number of steps (see photo 2), 4 Kannuki on each end of this very special box. Photos 4 and 5 display the box with the lid off and placed to the right and left of the box it is the same box as in photos 1, 2, 4 and 5. Photos 3 and 6 show the protective box and the 7 sun 119 move box set inside the Protective box in photo 3 and 6 shows 3 of the various Yosegi styles, I hope to have changed the photo to show the box that comes with this 119 move box by the time anyone sees this again. Sorry for any confusion my photos have caused. The opening sequence is not only unique but a marvel of intricate complexity. The box displays a beauty that radiates from the inner complexity to the beautiful Yosegi-Zougan used to cover the box.

 

It comes with color instructions made on Washi Paper, (a hand made paper that was created in Japan.) it is signed with the Honko of Mr. Okiyama, the box is numbered as well as the instruction sheet and each has his personal Honko. The instruction sheet would look beautiful framed and set near the place of distinction this box deserves. It also comes with a certificate of authenticity and a brief history of the Japanese Himitsu-Bako as explained by Mr. Okiyama and instructions for taking care of a box of this stature which includes recommended opening techniques, how to prevent finger nail marks, how to wrap the box in the Raw Silk used to cover the box before being inserted into the Protective box as well as instruction for wrapping the cloth covering used to “protect” the Protective box when put into the box it came in for shipping or transportation or to display this very special box. Good Luck bidding on this box which is in New condition only having been opened to be certain the box opens and closes as it should!  Shipping to be determined by distance!