Bagua

Bagua is again a famous Chinese jargon, used by experts and in books. ‘Ba’ means eight and ‘gua’ means sectors or sections. Thus ba gua means the eight directions. A ‘pakua’ is depicted as an octagon with a mirror inside and lines denoting the eight different directions. A bagua in a compass indicates the eight main directions that make up our surroundings. The ba gua is derived from I-ching-the book of changes. A bagua is like a map that we superimpose on a house or cemetery to find which section of the place occupies which direction. For eg: by superimposing the model of a ba gua, we can determine if the bedroom is in the North or northeast.

From the bagua, we can also say that there are four directions are supposed to be good for the house and four that are bad. There are four good directions used for a person and four not so good ones used personally. Directions for the house and for a person may or may not match. Thus, a practitioner will be able to gauge whether a hill outside is to the south or the southwest! Also, while placing cures like a water fountain etc, with the help of the ba gua, a practitioner will tell you where exactly it has to be placed. If he says, place your fish tank in the south, you will not know exactly which 45 degrees is occupied by south, as you will only know vaguely where South of your house is. But, with the help of a ba gua, you will be able to point a finger at exact South! Besides, the ba gua can also tell which sector in the house is missing, thus giving a clue to the shape of the house.

Each section represents a relation like northwest is the father. It also represents an organ in the human body like the head. It can mean a person born in a year dominated by the northwest qi, it can mean the main bread winner, head of state, etc. Thus, the ba gua is an imperative tool in the study of feng shui.

A bagua (8 directions) depicted in eight directions forms an octagon. A ba gua (8 directions) depicted in a box, forms a square, with the centre also forming a square!

Making your Puzzle Box Last with Proper Care

The price of a puzzle box will vary dramatically depending on its origin, creator, materials used, degree of difficulty in opening and closing, attention to detail, and much more. Although some puzzle boxes cost less than $30 and others more than $500, you can keep your beautiful work of art looking brand new with proper care. In addition to making your puzzle box look better, proper care will also ensure the mechanics of the box continue working. Puzzle boxes are made from wood, which differs from one country to another. Regardless if walnut, persimmon, wax, cherry, or some other type of wood is used, the box will expand and contract with humidity changes. Typically, the wood will move the most going across the grain with the least amount of movement going with the grain. Just as with furniture, you will find that some puzzle boxes can withstand much more than others all because of the type of wood used. Commonly, cedar is used in the making of puzzle boxes, which is easy to work with. However, cedar has one major flaw – it is not very stable. Because of this, we suggest you avoid a puzzle box made from cedar, choosing a harder wood instead such as walnut, cherry, or teak. No matter the type of wood your box is made with, you need to understand that changes occurring in the winter and summer months will have some affect. Another consideration when buying a puzzle box is how it is stored prior to shipment. In this case, boxes maintained in a warehouse that is humidity controlled will fare much better than those that are not. Other tips for caring for your new puzzle box include: Keep displayed puzzle boxes behind glass To maintain proper humidity levels, a glass of water can be placed in the display cabinet, hidden from sight Make sure the puzzle box does not sit in direct sunlight or where it would be subjected to heat from appliances or furnaces To keep humidity levels where they should be, a humidifier could be used in the winter months If the mechanisms for opening and closing the puzzle box have become stuck, simply place the box in a place with proper humidity and it will resolve itself Never get the puzzle box wet, which could damage the wood with rot, warping, bubbling, and so on Handle the puzzle box with a soft cloth, rubber fingertips, or soft grips to avoid scratching the wood Never use furniture polish on your puzzle box, even if it has a lacquer finish. Instead, high quality wood wax would restore shine. When storing your puzzle box, make sure the doors and other openings are in the closed position

The Value of Japanese Puzzle Boxes as a Collectible

In the world of antiques and collectibles, the Japanese Puzzle Box is an item that instantly catches attention. Their staggering price tags are a testament to the fact that compared to many other historical cultural items from around the world; the Japanese Puzzle Box has steadily maintained its allure for well over a century. Many wonder how it is an item could possible warrant such pointed interest. In truth, anything that stands the test of time usually consists of not only good, solid construction but precise, one of a kind craftsmanship and artistry. These two main ingredients make up the Japanese Puzzle Box. Read More...

Japanese Puzzle Box Marquetry

Along with the intriguing sliding parts of a Japanese Puzzle Box, the beautiful designs covering the outside can be just as captivating. These designs can consist of mountain and lake scenes or geometric patterns. This enchanting artistry is referred to as marquetry and requires as much craftsmanship and skill as the box making itself. Marquetry artisans use woods with no artificial tints or dyes to create vibrant multicolored designs. Himitsu Bako craftsmen typically create the design of their boxes and have the outside design applied at a later date. Yosegi-zaiku and Zougan are the two chief styles of marquetry found on the Japanese Puzzle Box. Read More ...

Himitsu Baku Masters

The skill that goes into making a Japanese Puzzle Box is, at its core, a fusion of age old art and science. Also referred to as Himitsu Bako, the mechanics of a Japanese Puzzle Box requires flush parts that can move together in fluid and flowing motions. This is no small task. As many an apprentice has come to find, being off by even the smallest measurement will either make the box too tight and difficult to open or entirely too slack. Learning this ancient and respectable art takes many years and there are a few who have made a name for themselves doing just so. Their skill and contribution in this ancient art is the very embodiment of today's modern Japanese Puzzle Box. Read More...

Himitsu Baku 101

Himitsu-Bako is the formal name of the artistry referred to as the Japanese Puzzle Box, or 'personal secret box'. Over a century ago, talented artisans began using various woods of the Hakone-Odawara area in Japan to handcraft intricately designed storage boxes. Months could pass between not only choosing a variety of woods and letting them dry but carving them and piecing them together. Taking the assorted flat pieces in an array of different colors, artisans worked masterfully complex designs. The result was a sleekly designed piece of art that was anywhere from one inch to one foot in length. Each box is a work unto itself with no one box an exact copy of another. Read More...