Golden Week holidays

We are now in the April-May holidays: this means that the only days this week that the Post Office is operating are Tuesday 30 April to Thursday 2 May. Normal operation starts again on Tuesday 7 May.

Jigsaw puzzles from Japan

Lewis Carroll's Alice

The Alice character was created by Lewis Carroll (pen name of Charles Dodgson; more at Wikipedia) in about 1862, and since publication of the two books Alice In Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass has become popular worldwide. The Disney adaptation is only one of the best-known, and a number of Japanese artists have also produced "Alice" works.

See separate page for Disney Alice puzzles.

Alice memories
© Shu

1000: Alice memories (Shu)

Vignettes of many famous incidents from Alice's adventures...

Born in Hiroshima in 1972, the artist developed his talent for original art while working as a graphic artist for a game company. He is now an independent creator of fantasy works.

Mizoguchi is his family name; he signs his work "Shu", the short form of his given name (Shuichi). On the box his name is given as "SHU Mizoguchi", somewhat confusingly, given the recent trend to writing the family name first capitalized.

* This puzzle is printed with more ink colours for extra-vivid effect.

In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: A10753 (1000-753 on package)
Retail price ¥3300 (approx. US$22.60 €20.89 £17.93)

All about ordering (please read first)

Alice redo
© Shu Mizoguchi

1000: Alice redo (Shu)

Another of Shu's rendering of Alice...

Born in Hiroshima in 1972, the artist developed his talent for original art while working as a graphic artist for a game company. He is now an independent creator of fantasy works.

Mizoguchi is his family name; he signs his work "Shu", the short form of his given name (Shuichi). On the box his name is given as "SHU Mizoguchi", somewhat confusingly, given the recent trend to writing the family name first capitalized.

* This is a glow-in-the-dark puzzle.

* This puzzle is printed with more ink colours for extra-vivid effect.

In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 500 x 750 mm (20" x 30")
Code: A10689 (1000-689 on package)
Retail price ¥3800 (approx. US$26.03 €24.05 £20.65)

All about ordering (please read first)

Alice in the library
© Shu

1000: Alice in the library (Shu)

Alice sits in a more conventional setting, and yet there is somehow an air of mystery about it...

Born in Hiroshima in 1972, the artist developed his talent for original art while working as a graphic artist for a game company. He is now an independent creator of fantasy works.

Mizoguchi is his family name; he signs his work "Shu", the short form of his given name (Shuichi). On the box his name is given as "SHU Mizoguchi", somewhat confusingly, given the recent trend to writing the family name first capitalized.

* This puzzle is printed with more ink colours for extra-vivid effect.

In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: A10827 (1000-827 on package)
Retail price ¥3300 (approx. US$22.60 €20.89 £17.93)

All about ordering (please read first)

Alice notions
© Shu Mizoguchi

1000: Alice notions (Shu)

Perhaps Alice's recollections, we see the familiar characters of the Mad Hatter and the March Hare, but also a knight in armour, and various others.

Born in Hiroshima in 1972, the artist developed his talent for original art while working as a graphic artist for a game company. He is now an independent creator of fantasy works.

Mizoguchi is his family name; he signs his work "Shu", the short form of his given name (Shuichi). On the box his name is given as "SHU Mizoguchi", somewhat confusingly, given the recent trend to writing the family name first capitalized.

* This puzzle is printed with more ink colours for extra-vivid effect.

In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 500 x 750 mm (20" x 30")
Code: A10763 (1000-763 on package)
Retail price ¥3300 (approx. US$22.60 €20.89 £17.93)

All about ordering (please read first)

Alice symphony
© Shu

1000: Alice symphony (Shu)

Alice plays the violin, accompanied by a pianist, while the animals all around play trumpet, horn, flute, and more.

Born in Hiroshima in 1972, the artist developed his talent for original art while working as a graphic artist for a game company. He is now an independent creator of fantasy works.

Mizoguchi is his family name; he signs his work "Shu", the short form of his given name (Shuichi). On the box his name is given as "SHU Mizoguchi", somewhat confusingly, given the recent trend to writing the family name first capitalized.

* This puzzle is printed with more ink colours for extra-vivid effect.

In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 500 x 750 mm (20" x 30")
Code: A10842 (1000-842 on package)
Retail price ¥3600 (approx. US$24.66 €22.78 £19.57)

All about ordering (please read first)

Alice rebirth
© Shu

1000: Alice rebirth (Shu)

Alice appears to be reborn, emerging through a "crystal" translucent jigsaw puzzle!

Born in Hiroshima in 1972, the artist developed his talent for original art while working as a graphic artist for a game company. He is now an independent creator of fantasy works.

Mizoguchi is his family name; he signs his work "Shu", the short form of his given name (Shuichi). On the box his name is given as "SHU Mizoguchi", somewhat confusingly, given the recent trend to writing the family name first capitalized.

* This puzzle is printed with more ink colours for extra-vivid effect.

In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: A10857 (1000-857 on package)
Retail price ¥3600 (approx. US$24.66 €22.78 £19.57)

All about ordering (please read first)

Dear Alice
© Shu Mizoguchi

300: Dear Alice (Shu)

Shu's portrayal of Alice in Wonderland, falling through the rabbit burrow, and surrounded by all the other familiar characters.

Born in Hiroshima in 1972, the artist developed his talent for original art while working as a graphic artist for a game company. He is now an independent creator of fantasy works.

Mizoguchi is his family name; he signs his work "Shu", the short form of his given name (Shuichi). On the box his name is given as "SHU Mizoguchi", somewhat confusingly, given the recent trend to writing the family name first capitalized.

* This is a glow-in-the-dark puzzle.

In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 300 pieces; 260 x 380 mm (10" x 15")
Code: A03261 (300-261 on package)
Retail price ¥2000 (approx. US$13.70 €12.66 £10.87)

All about ordering (please read first)

Alice's heart
© Fujishiro Seiji

300: Alice's heart (Fujishiro)

Born in 1924, Fujishiro has had a long and productive career as an illustrator - producing many children's books, and creating his own brand of fantasy along the way. From an early involvement with shadow puppetry, he developed his own unique style: he calls these kage-e (literally "shadow pictures"), but his is a backlit world not of black and white (or grey), but of wonderful translucent colours, apparently made mostly from tissue paper.

He is still active at the age of 80, and his work has appeared all over the world, most recently (February 2005) in New York and Washington.

In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 300 pieces; 260 x 380 mm (10" x 15")
Code: A03199 (300-199 on package)
Retail price ¥1800 (approx. US$12.33 €11.39 £9.78)

All about ordering (please read first)

Alice redo
© Shu

300: Alice redo (Shu)

Another Shu rendering of Alice...

Born in Hiroshima in 1972, the artist developed his talent for original art while working as a graphic artist for a game company. He is now an independent creator of fantasy works.

Mizoguchi is his family name; he signs his work "Shu", the short form of his given name (Shuichi). On the box his name is given as "SHU Mizoguchi", somewhat confusingly, given the recent trend to writing the family name first capitalized.

* This is a glow-in-the-dark puzzle.

In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 300 pieces; 260 x 380 mm (10" x 15")
Code: A03274 (300-274 on package)
Retail price ¥2000 (approx. US$13.70 €12.66 £10.87)

All about ordering (please read first)

Alice notions
© Shu

300: Alice notions (Shu)

Perhaps Alice's recollections, we see the familiar characters of the Mad Hatter and the March Hare, but also a knight in armour, and various others.

Born in Hiroshima in 1972, the artist developed his talent for original art while working as a graphic artist for a game company. He is now an independent creator of fantasy works.

Mizoguchi is his family name; he signs his work "Shu", the short form of his given name (Shuichi). On the box his name is given as "SHU Mizoguchi", somewhat confusingly, given the recent trend to writing the family name first capitalized.

* This puzzle is printed with more ink colours for extra-vivid effect.

In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 300 pieces; 260 x 380 mm (10" x 15")
Code: A03297 (300-297 on package)
Retail price ¥1800 (approx. US$12.33 €11.39 £9.78)

All about ordering (please read first)