One of the most ambitious collaborative puzzle box projects in recent times was The Apothecary Box, a puzzle chest created by Robert Yarger (aka “Stickman”) which itself holds 12 individual puzzle boxes created by prominent designers from around the world.

In the very first post of this blog I suggested that there were many metaphors to be had at the expense of boxes and booze, and that we would explore them all. There may be a few in this post, so you have been warned.

The Japanese puzzle box has its origins in the Hakone – Odawara mountain region of Japan over 100 years ago. The region is home to numerous species of colorful hard woods, and has been a center for woodwork in Japan for centuries.

The “duet” box is a lovely puzzle composed of two interdependent cubes which are fused together, and which require one another for each to open and reveal their individual secret compartments.