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Jigsaw puzzles from Japan
Some traditional themes - there is much overlap with the "Lucky!" page, as these are invariably chosen to be auspicious. Mount Fuji is an obvious topic - it's a handsome mountain, and is invariably shown in red, a depiction of a phenomenon said to occur once a year or less, in which the whole mountain glows pink at dawn. Then we have the gamut of nature represented by various plants and animals.
On this page: Red Mt Fuji - Flowers and birds - Carp - Buddhist figures
 © Ukai Yuhei 1000: Seven gods and seven wishes (Yuhei)The seven gods gather in a group with all the usual lucky emblems around them — red Mt Fuji, cranes, turtles, and so on. The rather jolly two in front are Daikokuten and Ebisu, who are somehow producing money by pounding the glutinous mochi rice which is traditionally always prepared this way. No biographical information is to be found on the artist Ukai Yuhei, another of the craft producers of traditional images particularly for kakemono scrolls. He signs his work the traditional way, with his given name Yuhei, and a seal of the same.  In stockAn Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30") Code: A10679 (1000-679 on package) Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €23.81 £20.41) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Tatsuji Kajita 1000: Mount Fuji horses (Kajita)Wild horses give a show of strength below the iconic Red Fuji, in Kajita's dramatic composition. Born in Nagoya in 1936, the artist became a successful illustrator of books, and commercial articles. In the late 1980s, he embarked on a second career, in oil painting, with which he has had many personal exhibitions. He paints a wide range of subjects, signing the more traditional pictures with the characters for his given name, Tatsuji, together with a seal, whereas on the illustration-style paintings of trains and sailing ships he signs "T. Kajita" in the western style. In stockA Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20") Code: Y101320 (10-1320 on package) Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €23.81 £20.41) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Tatsuji Kajita 1000: Mount Fuji cranes (Kajita)A faithful pair of cranes, but the others flying by make an auspicious total of seven. Red Mt. Fuji in the background, together with red and white plum blossoms and a couple of turtles, complete this very traditional painting, in Kajita's distinct and vibrant style. Born in Nagoya in 1936, the artist became a successful illustrator of books, and commercial articles. In the late 1980s, he embarked on a second career, in oil painting, with which he has had many personal exhibitions. He paints a wide range of subjects, signing the more traditional pictures with the characters for his given name, Tatsuji, together with a seal, whereas on the illustration-style paintings of trains and sailing ships he signs "T. Kajita" in the western style. In stockA Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20") Code: Y101319 (10-1319 on package) Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €23.81 £20.41) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Hakuga Takeuchi 1000: Fuji 100 cranes (Hakuga)The crane is an ancient symbol of longevity, reputedly able to grant wishes. So a combination of one hundred of these graceful birds with the auspicious red Mount Fuji makes a wonderful subject for a traditional painting. The artist was born in 1948, in Niigata. After working for a textile company, he went independent as a textile designer. He has his own individual drawing style, bringing a fresh approach to many traditional art themes. He goes by his given name, Hakuga, in the traditional way, signing his paintings in a stylised, but non-cursive form.  Not availableAn Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20") Code: A10815 (1000-815 on package) Retail price ¥3000 |
 © Beverly 300: Fuji, hawk, and eggplantThe most auspicious dream with which to start the year is said to be of these three items, listed as "1: Fuji, 2: Hawk, 3: Nasubi", the last being the eggplant or aubergine. A classic traditional composition... Not availableDiscontinued July 2021 A Beverly puzzle: 300 pieces; 38 x 26 cm (15" x 10") Code: B63267 (63-267 on package) Retail price ¥1400 |
The auspicious crane, the showy peacock, the humble chicken - this common style portrays birds surrounded by suggestions of their natural habitat...
 © Harai Kayomi / Studio Oz 1000: Cherry blossom owl (Kayomi)A simple but effective composition: the owl approaches us ready to pounce. The cherry blossom lit only by the full moon has an eerie tone, which will make the puzzle interesting but quite a challenge. No biographical details available. She signs her given name Kayomi in Roman letters. In stockAn Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20") Code: E11511 (11-511 on package) Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €23.81 £20.41) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Hakuga Takeuchi 1000: White phoenix garden (Hakuga)A pair of white birds display their filigree plumage, amidst flowers representing the four seasons. The bird name hakuhō can be translated as "white phoenix", but its origin is unclear, perhaps from an ancient Chinese mythical bird, but also an unofficial era name around the time of Emperor Kōtoku (c. 650 AD; see the Wikipedia article on era names). The artist was born in 1948, in Niigata. After working for a textile company, he went independent as a textile designer. He has his own individual drawing style, bringing a fresh approach to many traditional art themes. He goes by his given name, Hakuga, in the traditional way, signing his paintings in a stylised, but non-cursive form. In stockAn Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20") Code: A10803 (1000-803 on package) Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €23.81 £20.41) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Hakuga Takeuchi 1000: Crested ibises (Hakuga)These birds are the rare toki, or crested ibis, an iconic species within Japan, which was almost completely eliminated by excessive hunting over the 19th and 20th centuries, until only a small population remained in China. Efforts are now being made to rear chicks for releasing into the wild, and there is now a small colony on Sado Island in the Sea of Japan. The artist was born in 1948, in Niigata. After working for a textile company, he went independent as a textile designer. He has his own individual drawing style, bringing a fresh approach to many traditional art themes. He goes by his given name, Hakuga, in the traditional way, signing his paintings in a stylised, but non-cursive form. Not availableAn Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20") Code: A10804 (1000-804 on package) Retail price ¥3000 |
 © Izumi Kazumi 1000: Lucky owls (Kazumi)A happy family of owls, mother and three chicks. Not only are owls famed for wisdom, but these chicks are a bright golden colour, suggesting they will bring good fortune. Izumi Kazumi is an animal artist who graduated from Osaka University fine arts department in 1984. Izumi is her family name. In stockAn Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20") Code: A10765 (1000-765 on package) Retail price ¥3600 (approx. US$33.96 €28.57 £24.49) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Izumi Kazumi 1000: Faithful cranes (Kazumi)A pair of cranes, symbol of fidelity, with Fuji in the background and surrounded by the usual auspicious symbols, pine-bamboo-plum, the nanten red berries, and also a pair of turtles representing longevity (their "tails" are said to be trails of seaweed which has grown over the aeons. Izumi Kazumi is an animal artist who graduated from Osaka University fine arts department in 1984. Izumi is her family name. In stockAn Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20") Code: A10777 (1000-777 on package) Retail price ¥3600 (approx. US$33.96 €28.57 £24.49) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Hakuga Takeuchi 1000: Greeting the morning sun (Hakuga)Two birds greet the morning sun – these are 鳳凰 (Hōō), the mythical bird also known as the "Chinese phoenix". This scene is traditionally taken as an auspicious sign of peace in the world... The artist was born in 1948, in Niigata. After working for a textile company, he went independent as a textile designer. He has his own individual drawing style, bringing a fresh approach to many traditional art themes. He goes by his given name, Hakuga, in the traditional way, signing his paintings in a stylised, but non-cursive form. In stockAn Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20") Code: A10837 (1000-837 on package) Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €23.81 £20.41) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Toyama Hiroko 500: Lucky owls (Toyama)A pair of jolly owls, traditional symbols of wisdom, and good luck. The stylised golden stripes represent clouds, intertwined with cherry blossom, while Mount Fuji and the moon complete the background. Born in Miyagi, northern Japan in 1984, Toyama Hiroko (Toyama is her family name) specialises in birds and flowers, bringing a modern touch along with many traditional stylisations. Toyama is her family name. Not availableDiscontinued August 2021 An Epoch puzzle: 500 pieces; 53 x 38 cm (21" x 15") Code: E06075 (06-075 on package) Retail price ¥2000 |
 © Toyama Hiroko 500: Golden owls (Toyama)A serene pair of owls gaze out from a typically stylised background from this artist; including the traditionally fortunate combination of pine, bamboo, and plum. Born in Miyagi, northern Japan in 1984, Toyama Hiroko (Toyama is her family name) specialises in birds and flowers, bringing a modern touch along with many traditional stylisations. In stockAn Epoch puzzle: 500 pieces; 53 x 38 cm (21" x 15") Code: E06082 (06-082 on package) Retail price ¥2000 (approx. US$18.87 €15.87 £13.61) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Seta Koshu 1000: Five jumping carp (Seta)Five colourful carp are surrounded by other auspicious symbols, from turtles at the bottom to Mount Fuji at the top.  Few details of the artist Seta Koshu are available: he entered the world of Japanese art through a family pottery business, but his skill with the brush was evident, and he is a skilled producer of kakemono scrolls. Seta is his family name. In stockAn Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30") Code: A10666 (1000-666 on package) Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €23.81 £20.41) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
The panoply of deities of various ranks from the Buddhist traditions...
 © Hojo Yuka / Sankoh 1000: Kannon rides the DragonA very matronly Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, stands barefoot amidships on a rather nice dragon. In her left hand she holds a flower (perhaps a lotus flower), while the dragon similarly clutches the symbolic Chintamani Stone (or "treasure ball"). This is a standard pose for Kannon, and this version is subdued in tone yet full of details. The image also includes a complete sutra for the elimination of disasters — this is essentially in Sanskrit transliterated into ancient Chinese, so a typical Japanese reader can make no more meaning of it than you can. Although Kannon is often known as "Goddess of Mercy", experts in Buddhism tell us she is really Avalokitêsvara, who was a man... In stockAn Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30") Code: A10676 (1000-676 on package) Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €23.81 £20.41) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Takeda Koun 1000: Thirteen BuddhasThe thirteen Buddhas are a Japanese grouping of deities, traditionally seen as serving a protecting role. Although they are all quite distinct (their names are listed on the box), many of the portrayals are very similar — but notice each has a different mudra, or gesture. Wikipedia has a complete list of the Thirteen Buddhas (in the same order as the key on the puzzle box) In stockAn Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30") Code: A10652 (1000-652 on package) Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €23.81 £20.41) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Takatomi Shūhō 1000: Lotus KannonA classic pose of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, is to stand on a lotus blossom, but here she has each bare foot on a separate flower, posing a tricky balance problem. In her hand she holds a vial of sacred water, with eight beneficent properties to heal all ills. Although Kannon is normally portrayed as female, experts in Buddhism tell us she is really Avalokitêsvara, who was a man... The painting is in the form of a kakejiku, a hanging scroll with an abstract pattern down each side. The artist's name is signed 周峰 (Shūhō), but there are no other details. In stockAn Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30") Code: A10850 (1000-850 on package) Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €23.81 £20.41) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Shokan Fujino / Shoboji 1000: Welcoming twenty-five BodhisattvasThis is a raigō painting, representing a vision of the twenty-five Bodhisattvas arriving on a purple cloud to welcome the faithful into the Buddhist paradise. Traditionally such paintings have been brought to console a person close to death. No artist is named, but we can assume from the copyright claim that this is from the Buddhist painting school of Shokan Fujino, at Shobo Temple in Kyoto. In stockAn Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30") Code: A10755 (1000-755 on package) Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €23.81 £20.41) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Kayama Ryokusui 1000: Shingon Thirteen Buddhas (Ryokusui)The thirteen Buddhas are a grouping of deities within the Shingon sect, which is a branch of Tantric or esoteric Buddhism. They are traditionally seen as serving a protecting role, and here they sit on clouds behind who we can presume to be Kūkai, the Japanese monk who founded Shingon. Some hold flowers, swords, and other implements, and many are performing a mudra, or spiritual gesture. See Wikipedia entries for Shingon Buddhism and the Thirteen Buddhas: this page includes a list of the names in the same order as the key on the puzzle box. Very little biographical information to be found on the artist Kayama Ryokusui, who specialises in traditional Japanese styles, particularly of kakemono scrolls. Kayama is an ordinary family name, but Ryokusui is almost certainly a "brush name", consisting of two characters which both mean "green". In stockAn Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30") Code: A10680 (1000-680 on package) Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €23.81 £20.41) Buy this puzzle Add to basket All about ordering (please read first) |
 © Shibuya Sofu 1000: AchalaAchala is one of the Five Wisdom Kings, a bright blue figure with a fierce expression and a background of fire. He is know in Japan as Fudo, which is a translation of the meaning of Achala, "immoveable", symbolised by his seat on a solid rock. Around him is written a sutra in the Siddham script brought from India more than a thousand years ago and now only used in East Asia for Buddhist scriptures. The subject may be from South Asia, but the painting style is unmistakeably Japanese, the breaking waves in particular strongly reminiscent of Hokusai and the other woodblock artists. Not availableDiscontinued July 2021 An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30") Code: E11422 (11-422 on package) Retail price ¥3000 |
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Created March 2005 - Updated from time to time - WDG validated
