The record heat wave we are experiencing in Texas has a lot of folks reaching for an ice cold refreshment. I reached for an entire refrigerator and freezer unit.

“It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues” - Abraham Lincoln

The trunk references a well-loved movie series known affectionately as “Tora-san”, about a kind-hearted vagabond who returns home to find his sister. He is a complete fool, and very unlucky in love.

The masu, traditionally made from Japanese cypress wood, is a simple cubic box made to a very specific measurement. These were originally used to measure exactly 1 serving of rice, known in Japanese as “go”

I’ve got a broken heart this year for Valentine’s Day. Don’t feel too bad for me, though - I’m only talking about a puzzle box.

The idea of a box which needs to literally shrink in order to open is simply fascinating to me, and apparently to Hiroshi Iwahara, who designed it, and Tatsuo Miyamoto, who crafted it, as well.

I’m really a sentimental fool.  To prove it, I’ll embrace this year’s Valentine’s Day full on, with the perfect puzzle box and love potion pairing.  There’s no chance you won’t be smitten.

Sloeing things down a bit on the puzzling side as well, I present the “Snail” box, a collaborative effort from the Karakuri Creation Group.

This perfectly Patrick’s Day worthy puzzle box is one of Japanese master craftsman Tatsuo Miyamoto’s most famous works.  His “A Chance Meeting” is truly elegant.

Lest I be made to walk the plank for insubordination, I present the Pirates Box by Tatsuo Miyamoto of the Karakuri Creation Group. He explains that a pirate ship wharf mural on the wall of the new Sekisyo Karakuri Art Museum in Hakone Japan, the home of the Karakuri group, inspired him to create this puzzle box.