Makishi - 18-move Challenge Box (1996)

⟬ Makishi Fortnight ⟭——[ puzzles by Yasutoshi Makishi ]——05. 18-move Challenge Box (1996)

Makishi, originally from Okinawa, was a high-end residential cabinetmaker for many years, and made a very unique series of 'Challenge Boxes' based on traditional Japanese panel-and-key design. each was made from poplar and sealed with two coats of cabinet-grade lacquer, designed to stand up to the fluctuating heat and humidity of American climate. he used to sell these boxes at art & craft shows, sometimes with a painting on the lid done by himself or a fellow artist. boxes made before 2011 are signed, boxes made later are branded with his signature. the ones i'm offering are signed.

each Challenge Box is like a step in a puzzlebox design tutorial...

the 8-move box is simple enough to solve accidentally, but still contains one dead-end move sequence.

the 50-move box has at least two elements in the sequence that will confuse almost everyone for quite a while.

on every box, all sliding panels can be removed to examine the construction. most boxes have a single phillips screw in the bottom panel. the 13- and 18-move boxes with small interiors don't have this screw, and can be disassembled as soon as the lid is removed. the warning not to remove the screw is common (even Makishi's website advised against it, with dramatic underlining and everything), but most boxes also have some kind of markings to guide reassembly, and in any case removing the screw just turns the box into a different kind of puzzle.

sadly, poor health in recent years prevented Makishi from returning full time to making these boxes, and he died this past June.

♫: 

—1. everything i have is in the photos.

—2. shipment is by USPS Priority Mail, insured for the full sale price and trackable.

—3. shipping will be calculated after all auctions in this Fortnight are closed (because it makes invoicing so much easier).

—4. payment is via PayPal only.

—5. all puzzles in my collection have been kept out of sunlight, in a humidity-stable room or sealed plastic container, away from pets unless they can solve them, and in a non-smoking household.

—6. shipping prices have gotten ridiculous so i'm capping them at $30: if shipping costs more, i will pay the balance.

thank you for looking, and good luck if you bid.

:cameron: