On this page: Puzzles - About the artist
- Almost all of these fantasy puzzles are glow-in-the-dark versions, and the latest use Hexachrome or other special printing for super-vivid colours.
We are accepting orders again, but with very limited shipping options, which we have to handle manually. Please use the checkout form to request puzzles, and we will get back to you when we can. Please see the front page for more details.
Jigsaw puzzles from Japan
On this page: Puzzles - About the artist
![]() © Kagaya 1000: The milky way (Uyuni)Kagaya has used the famous Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia as an unusual setting for a personal view of the Milky Way. This is a glow-in-the-dark puzzle. ![]() A Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20") Code: Y101294 (10-1294 on package) Retail price ¥3900 (approx. US$39.39 €32.23 £28.89) Shipping from ¥1000 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$10.10 €8.26 £7.41) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
![]() © Kagaya 1000: The Southern LightsDazzling effects in the night sky of New Zealand... This is a glow-in-the-dark puzzle. ![]() A Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20") Code: Y101307 (10-1307 on package) Retail price ¥3900 (approx. US$39.39 €32.23 £28.89) Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$12.12 €9.92 £8.89) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
![]() © Kagaya ![]() 1000: Oarai shoreline toriiThis is a real scene on the east coast of Japan. The torii is the traditional symbol marking the approach to a shrine, and in this case it has been built at the edge of the Pacific. Kagaya gives it a lonely and mysterious air... This is a glow-in-the-dark puzzle. ![]() A Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20") Code: Y101295 (10-1295 on package) Retail price ¥3900 (approx. US$39.39 €32.23 £28.89) Shipping from ¥1000 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$10.10 €8.26 £7.41) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
![]() © Kagaya 1000: 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. ![]() Resupply date uncertain A Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20") Code: Y101302 (10-1302 on package) Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$30.30 €24.79 £22.22) Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$12.12 €9.92 £8.89) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
![]() © Kagaya ![]() 500: Orbit of the dreamKagaya's photographic interpretation of a Kyoto scene... This is a glow-in-the-dark puzzle. ![]() A Yanoman puzzle: 500 pieces; 53 x 38 cm (21" x 15") Code: Y051015 (05-1015 on package) Retail price ¥2000 (approx. US$20.20 €16.53 £14.81) Shipping from ¥800 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$8.08 €6.61 £5.93) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
![]() © Kagaya 300: 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. ![]() Discontinued December 2020 A Yanoman puzzle: 300 pieces; 26 x 38 cm (10" x 15") Code: Y03857 (03-857 on package) Retail price ¥1500 |
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)
Separate page: Kagaya zodiac collection - the discontinued series of zodiac puzzles
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.