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Jigsaw puzzles from Japan
On this page: Galactic railroad - Star-studded sky - Starry tales - Heavenly bodies - About the artist
 © Kagaya 500: Star journeyA portrayal of one of the best-known works of fantasy fiction by Miyazawa Kenji, Japan's much-loved poet and author of children's literature. The original title is Ginga tetsudô no yoru, probably best known in the West from the anime film "Night on the Galactic Railroad" (but there are many variations on this translation). We see an earthbound, yet fantastic scence passing the train window, itself a reminder of a bygone age. Wikipedia article on Miyazawa Kenji Double-postcard size puzzle with micro pieces  In stockA Yanoman puzzle: 500 pieces; 22 x 17 cm (9" x 7") Code: Y4122 (41-22 on box) Retail price ¥1000 (approx. US$10.99 €8.20 £6.94) Shipping from ¥400 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$4.40 €3.28 £2.78) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Kagaya 2014: Symphony in symmetryThe symmetry of Mount Fuji and its reflection is complemented by the pair of swans on the lakeside in this peaceful sunset scene. This is from Kagaya's Hoshi-biyori series ("The star-studded sky"): the original title is Shinfometorii, a combination of "symphony" and "symmetry" which doesn't really work in English. This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size. In stockA Yanoman puzzle: 2014 pieces; 62 x 45 cm (24" x 18") Code: Y2211 (22-11 on box) Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$27.47 €20.49 £17.36) Shipping from ¥900 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$9.89 €7.38 £6.25) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Kagaya 2014: Treasure nightAnother puzzle from the Hoshi-biyori series ("The star-studded sky"), and indeed, above the distinctive form of Mount Fuji we see the familiar constellation of Orion, and the moon shown with Kagaya's typical astronomical accuracy. Below is a ghostly landscape of habitations glimmering in the mist. This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size. In stockA Yanoman puzzle: 2014 pieces; 62 x 45 cm (24" x 18") Code: Y2210 (22-10 on box) Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$27.47 €20.49 £17.36) Shipping from ¥900 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$9.89 €7.38 £6.25) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Kagaya 1000: Kaguya-himeKaguyahime ("Princess of the shining night") gazes into the moonlit night. The story of which she is heroine, the "Bamboo cutter's tale", dates back a thousand years, to the great cultural flowering that was the Heian period. In the story, she was found as a tiny baby inside a bamboo trunk. In Kagaya's version extra colour is provided by a scattering of brilliant red maple leaves, and the almost dazzling light of the moon puts the figure in near-silhouette.  Good articles at Wikipedia: The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter - Heian period This is a glow-in-the-dark puzzle. In stockA Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30") Code: Y101156 (10-1156 on box) Retail price ¥3900 (approx. US$42.86 €31.97 £27.08) Shipping from ¥1000 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$10.99 €8.20 £6.94) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Kagaya 1000: Starry TalesAlthough this puzzle is titled simpled Starry Tales, the figure is clearly recognisable as Libra, carrying the scales of justice. In the background we see classical allusions: a winged horse, and a Greek temple.  This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size. This is a glow-in-the-dark puzzle. In stockA Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 38 x 53 cm (15" x 21") Code: Y1229 (12-29 on box) Retail price ¥2400 (approx. US$26.37 €19.67 £16.67) Shipping from ¥700 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$7.69 €5.74 £4.86) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Kagaya 1000: The moonThe moon in beautiful detail. All features visible in a small telescope are marked with their atronomical names. Not a very easy puzzle: there is a huge total area of black... This is a glow-in-the-dark puzzle.  Out of stockMore stock expected end June A Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30") Code: Y101125 (10-1125 on box) Retail price ¥3900 (approx. US$42.86 €31.97 £27.08) Shipping from ¥1000 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$10.99 €8.20 £6.94) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Kagaya 1000: The EarthKagaya's rendering of the earth—realistic, yet clearly a personal interpretation. Not a very easy puzzle: there is a huge total area of black... This is a glow-in-the-dark puzzle. Out of stockMore stock expected end June A Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30") Code: Y101131 (10-1131 on box) Retail price ¥3900 (approx. US$42.86 €31.97 £27.08) Shipping from ¥1000 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$10.99 €8.20 £6.94) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
Born in Saitama (just north of Tokyo) in 1968, Kagaya spent his childhood in wonderment of the stars in the sky, and never stopped painting them. He has had a successful career as an illustrator for astronomical books and magazines, and many of his works have been turned into jigsaw puzzles, among other products. Since 1996, he has worked exclusively in the digital medium, using a Macintosh. Perhaps that is why he does not appear to sign his pictures.
He goes by his family name; his given name appears to be Yutaka, but in English you will also find him called Joh Kagaya (Jô is the Chinese reading of his name).
The Kagaya Studio site includes lots more information, including some in English.
He has been honoured by having an asteroid (no. 11949) named after him. It's a long way away, but only a few kilometres across, so you could walk round it in a day. (Here's the technical information)
Note: The translations of titles are mine.
Try the Yanoman website. If you find another puzzle you want, please ask me about special orders.
For reference: you can view all the Kagaya puzzles that are out of print in the Attic.
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Created March 2005 - Updated from time to time - WDG validated
