Yasuaki  Kikuchi

I’ve always liked making something out of wood even since I was a child.
Through various paths, I decided to live as a woodworking craftsman.
I was introduced to the wonderful products of this company at a technical school.
“Find a way to open the box”…I was impressed with the restriction that gives the power of creative imagination to the man who makes it, and to the one who also tries to open it.
I’ll make an effort to make interesting and fun things.
And I want to make works that allow everyone to enjoy the process of opening them.

1978．Born in Tokyo
2015．Graduated from Nagano Prefecture Agematsu Woodwork Technical College
2016．Moved to Odawara   
         Participated in Karakuri Creation Group

INFORMATION

This work was designed as a Christmas present for 2019.

I made a cute Karakuri box with a Christmas tree motif.
You can decorate it yourself.

Created : 11/2019

Size(box body) : 64×70×150 mm
Size(storage part) : 40×43×17 mm

Material :　cherry, magnolia, chanchin, keyaki (zelkova), etc.

This work was designed for an exhibition that theme is “Wa”.
Natto is a traditional Japanese food made from soy beans fermented with
Bacillus subtilis natto.
If you know how to eat natto correctly, you can open it.
You may need to get the hang of it though...
I made natto itself with clay and UV curable resin.

Created : 04/2019

Size(box body) : 150×110×120 mm
Size(storage part) : 41×91×20 mm

Material :　cherry, maple, walnut, magnolia, American black cherry, polymer clay, UV curable resin, etc.

This work was designed as a Christmas present for 2017.

With a zipper as the motif, I was able to create a pretty box.
The hint is “32”.

Created : 11/2018

Size(box body) : 82×125×54 mm
Size(storage part) : 52×99×24 mm

Material :　chanchin, mizuki (dogwood), magnolia

This work was designed for Karakuri Puzzle Party in Hakone 2018.

Using the familiar alphabet as its theme, I made a Karakuri box incorporating observational power and puzzle-type elements.
My ambition is to make 26 boxes with 26 different tricks.
…That is only my ambition though…

Created : 09/2018

Size(box body) : 86×86×76 mm
Size(storage part) : 56×56×26 mm

Material :　walnut, keyaki (zelkova), maple, magnolia

I shaped the feeling of making a karakuri box like the Rubik's Cube．If the colors of the six sides are aligned, it will be opened afterwards with one move.It is attractive that in the course of opening, the color changes, wood parts in it make a comfortable sound．

Created : 02/2018

Size : 82×82×82 mm

Material :　walnut, maple, cherry

This work was designed for an exhibition that theme is “Story”.

As you move the frog a little, you then also move the lotus leaf at the same time. You can open the space little by little. Being able to see the gimmick will help you to solve the puzzle and open the box.

Created : 05/2017

Size : 127×127×60 mm

Material :　cherry, magnolia, walnut

This is a different color version of my debut work. It is designed to open in nine moves.you can enjoy " change of something"in the process. finally,8moves may surprise you a little .
"Kickake" means the beginning or trigger of the start of something in Japanease. When you are stuck with something or need any "Kickake" Please take this product. You may find the way to solution?

Created : 03/2017

Size : 72×72×72 mm

Material :　keyaki(zelkoba), chanchin, wenge, etc.

This is my first Karakuri work. Once you find first step, the rest of 9 moves are not So difficult.And, you can enjoy " change of something"in the process. finally,8moves may surprise you a little . Please be careful not to drop it.
"Kickake" means the beginning or trigger of the start of something in Japanease. When you are stuck with something or need any "Kickake"
Please take this product. You may find the way to solution?
 

Created : 03/2017

Size : 72×72×72 mm

Material :　keyaki(zelkoba), maple, wenge, etc.