Karakuri Gum - Karakuri Idea Contest 2013

As with the best Karakuri Idea Contest winners this puzzle box beautifully combines theme and puzzle.  It’s made to look like a blown up version of a pack of gum, and its solution is very much in keeping with this theme.  It was crafted by Hideaki Kawashima and reflects the precise woodworking that is a hallmark of his work.  To the best of my knowledge, Karakuri Gum has never be on the auction market previously.  The puzzle comes with all original packaging. 

Karakuri product description:

The idea of this work is an automatic gum dispenser using long flat stickgum. The mechanism is simple. You can put the chewing gum inside this box.

This work was produced by Karakuri Creation Group’s craftsmen, from a selected idea of “5th Karakuri Puzzle Idea Contest”.

Original idea by Takumi Horiguchi

Hand-crafted by Hideaki Kawashima (Karakuri Creation Group)

Size: 151×50×40mm

Material: Magnolia, Cherry, Maple, and Purple heart

Condition:

- There is a small nick along one edge (shown in photo), as originally purchased.

- There is slight discoloration to the top of the packaging (shown in photo), as it was obtained after being on display in the shop in Hakone where it was purchased.

(The images may make it appear like there is some discoloration in part of the wood; this is an artifact of the photo and lighting.)