Kumiki

(Note Oct 2008 - pictures to follow soon)

As usual, the Puzzle of the Month is late. This month’s excuse is that it was such a hard choice! Finally I decided to present a complete sub-genre of mechanical puzzles, the intricate self-locking wooden puzzles, originating from Japan, called Kumiki.

Japanese craftsman, especially in the beautiful lakeside resort of Hakone, have been producing these puzzles for well over 100 years, probably basing their craft on the traditional Japanese building style, designed to survive earthquakes, of making tight-fitting joints without using solid fixing methods.

There are four subclasses of kumiki puzzles, identified by how the first, or key piece is removed.  It could be pushed, rotated, slid or even rely on two simultaneous pieces.  “Kumiki” is Japanese for “to join wood together”.  The books of Jerry Slocum picture many such puzzles from his extensive collection. Most of those pictured here are from Hakone Mountain, Japan.

I won’t insult your intelligence by identifying each design, whether it be animal, transport or building etc.  I will however, point out some of the more interesting features.  A credit card is shown to gauge the size of each, which vary from about one inch, to the magnificent robot, which measures a foot high, and weighs over 16 ounces. He (at least I think it’s a he!) has hinged knees, arms, elbows and hands.

It’s been a while since I gave him a full overhaul, but I think he is made up from over 40 pieces.  To begin taking him apart, the small wooden block under each armpit must be pushed out.

I can recall having kumiki puzzles in the early sixties, probably including the ubiquitous barrel. Many of the more solid puzzles are actually the same puzzle, just with the outside surfaces shaped differently.  However, be careful, as I have two different barrels, one being dismantled by initially removing the key piece from the top, while the other has the key on the upright curved surface.

The row above shows a traditional pagoda, while the row below begins with a tori, a traditional gateway to a shrine. The first picture at the top of the page is of a Japanese castle. In Japan, smoking is even forbidden in the gardens around the few remaining wooden castles.

The very last picture on this page shows a beautifully ornate 4-inch cube, made in exotic woods.

Even in Japan, a complete menagerie of beasts from around the world is available, including elephants, (the large elephant is actually a Czechoslovak specimen, the ears give it away!), camels, dogs, penguins(!) and even a dinosaur.

All methods of transport have fallen prey to the kumiki craftsman, trams, trains, horse and cart, ships and a flying saucer. The 1950s saw a newcomer, in the form of plastic keyring kumiki puzzles. A heart is shown below.  The only major source of kumiki I am aware of outside Japan, is Cleverwood.   Say hello to Kathleen from me!

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