Thursday 31 December 2015

2015 Karakuri Christmas Present #8 - Bean Bag Drawer 2

Update 23 October 2017 - Dear Reader, please check out my new puzzle blog and e-store at http://mechanical-puzzles.com

Note: Most puzzlers would have received their Christmas presents by now, however, in order not to reveal any spoilers, there will be no photo(s) of the solved puzzle posted here. Instead there is a password protected link further down the page for you to click on should you wish to see them.




Name
Bean Bag Drawer 2. This is the actual name as stated on a card which came inside the packaging.

Designer
Hiroshi Iwahara

Type & Classification
Trick Opening Puzzle Box

Dimensions
13.5cm x 9.5cm x 9.5cm (the largest of the Christmas presents this year)

Materials & Construction
Combination of at least 4 different woods including what appears to be cherry and maple More information once the solution/specs are sent to me early 2016. Construction fit and finish is excellent.

Overview
To find the hidden compartment. Multiple moves (can't give the exact number at this moment as not fully solved) required to open the box.

Solution
WARNING: The link here shows the partially solved state of the puzzle. Password - hiwahara
There are spoilers. DO NOT click on the link if you do not wish to see it. 


Difficulty Level
I only managed to solve this puzzle partially. There are two stages and the second has eluded me so far, despite getting some hints from Otis Cheng. Like Iwahara's 2014 present Confetto Box 2, which I solved halfway (without realizing there was more), the Bean Bag Drawer 2 surpasses its 2014 cousin in terms of difficulty. This latest present appears very difficult, for me definitely... not merely by Christmas Presents standard but also measured against other puzzle boxes I gave played with in general. But it seems that quite a few puzzlers have managed to get this one solved! 

Summary
This is my second puzzle from Iwahara and certainly won't be my last. From what I can tell, the general consensus is that Iwahawa designs are clear favorites among puzzlers who go for Karakuri presents (alongside Kamei puzzles). A large and great looking puzzle box which displays beautifully.

For information on Karakuri Christmas Presents generally, please click here.

2 comments:

  1. This is my favourite X-mas present so far. It's worth the money in terms of difficulty, size, etc.
    I have not yet managed to open the 2nd compartment...Not easy but fun to play with!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have just managed to open the 2nd compartment. Great puzzle. Too bad that we cannot see the mechanism...

    ReplyDelete