Update!
(15 August) The database should now be fixed, so there are no more stray funny characters... but there may still be glitches. I just discovered that all of the Peanuts puzzles had disappeared, because "artist=peanuts" was not matching "Peanuts"; so there is more to do in sorting out case-insensitive matching.
Database problem!
Apologies! A recent database upgrade has left lots of Japanese text corrupted, and also some variant characters, such as the e-acute in "Pokémon," not showing correctly. I am working to correct this but may take some days...
申し訳ありません 現在、データーベースの問題でほとんどのパズルの詳細などの日本語が文字化けになっています。修復するまで何日かかかるかも知れません。ご了承ください。
Jigsaw puzzles from Japan
Bridges
Feature page for July 2016
Bridges are a traditional favourite topic for a jigsaw puzzle: the simple continuity of an arch or catenary makes a good "anchor" for doing the puzzle. This page features bridges across Japan, both ancient and modern, and also one or two from outside portrayed by Japanese artists.
2016 pieces
 © Epoch 
2016: Kintai bridgeThis bridge is a landmark of western Japan, with both red maples and cherry trees planted alongside, for gorgeous pictures in all seasons. We are told that the name Kintaikyô - or "Brocade sash bridge" - is derived from a resemblance to a kimono sash. This is pretty unconvincing, until you realise that the river under the bridge is Nishikigawa: this Nishiki is the Japanese reading for "brocade", written with the same Chinese character as the Kin in Kintai. The bridge consists of five wooden arches: at the time it was originally built (1673), wheeled transport was almost unknown in Japan, so presumably it was not worthwhile going to the extra effort of providing a level roadway. It seems unlikely that this design would have been used in Europe at that time.
 In stockAn Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20") Code: E23535 (23-535 on package) Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$16.89 €15.63 £13.09) All about ordering (please read first)
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 © Epoch 
2016: Great Seto BridgeAn impressive engineering project, this chain of bridges was completed in 1988, to link the main islands of Honshū and Shikoku for the first time. The twin-deck bridge carries the main expressway and a railway line.
In stockAn Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20") Code: E23606 (23-606 on package) Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$16.89 €15.63 £13.09) All about ordering (please read first)
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This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.2000 pieces
 © Epoch 
2000: Kappa bridge, Japan AlpsThis wooden suspension bridge is a landmark of the Kamikochi resort area in the Japan alps, and its span of some 30 metres carries hikers across Azusagawa river. Beyond can be seen some of Japan's most majestic mountains. The bridge is named for the mythical water-creature, the kappa, which is said to live in deep clear waters such as these. Wikipedia article on Kappa
In stockAn Epoch puzzle: 2000 pieces; 530 x 380 mm (21" x 15") Code: E54023 (54-023 on package) Retail price ¥2000 (approx. US$13.51 €12.50 £10.47) All about ordering (please read first)
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1053 pieces
 © Epoch 
1053: Tsunoshima bridgeIn 2000, this bridge was built to connect the island of Tsunoshima to the mainland of western Japan. Almost 2km long (over a mile), it is a graceful but restrained multi-span design, in keeping with the surrounding area of natural beauty.
In stockAn Epoch puzzle: 1053 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10") Code: E31018 (31-018 on package) Retail price ¥1600 (approx. US$10.81 €10.00 £8.38) All about ordering (please read first)
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 © Epoch
1053: Great Seto BridgeAn impressive engineering project, this chain of bridges was completed in 1988, to link the main islands of Honshū and Shikoku for the first time. The twin-deck bridge carries the main expressway and a railway line.
In stockAn Epoch puzzle: 1053 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10") Code: E31034 (31-034 on package) Retail price ¥1600 (approx. US$10.81 €10.00 £8.38) All about ordering (please read first)
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1000 pieces
 © Fujishiro Seiji 1000: After the rain, let the music reign (Fujishiro)There's something northern European about the setting (shades of van Goch somehow), but the title and characters are pure Fujishiro. This is a 'glow-in-the-dark' puzzle. 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 stockAn Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 500 x 750 mm (20" x 30") Code: A10427 (1000-427 on package) Retail price ¥3900 (approx. US$26.35 €24.38 £20.42) All about ordering (please read first)
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 © JTB Photo 
1000: Himeji castle, cherry blossom timeThe most famous restored castle in Japan, here Himeji castle is seen from the moat in cherry blossom time. In stockAn Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20") Code: A10833 (1000-833 on package) Retail price ¥2600 (approx. US$17.57 €16.25 £13.61) All about ordering (please read first)
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 © Seibi-sha 1000: Tower Bridge (Yamashita)The artist made a tour of Europe in 1961, resulting in a series of depictions of landmarks such as Tower Bridge in London. Born in 1922 in Tokyo, Yamashita had a troubled childhood: - after a bullying incident at school involving a knife, he was classified as mentally handicapped, and placed in an institution. His genius for creating harie (pasted paper pictures) was soon realised, though, and eventually he featured in many exhibitions across Japan. He remained an eccentric: from 1940 to 1954 he roamed the country wearing only an undershirt (it is said), earning himself the moniker of "The naked artist wanderer". Although he travelled widely seeking material, including an extended tour of Europe in 1961, it seems he did not work in the field, but would return to his studio and create images entirely from memory. He died in 1971 at the early age of 49. His story has been dramatised a number of times, in the 1956 film known as "The naked general" and later television series. In stockA Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20") Code: Y101262 (10-1262 on package) Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$20.27 €18.75 £15.71) All about ordering (please read first)
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420 pieces
 © Epoch 
420: Tokyo Gate Bridge and FujiAnother, different view of Fuji from Tokyo! This unusual bridge is the latest Tokyo landmark, opened in 2012. It is a truss cantilever bridge, and has earned the nickname "Dinosaur Bridge" — can you see why? Anyway, lit up, it provides a striking foreground to the distant mountain. Wikipedia: Tokyo Gate Bridge
In stockAn Epoch puzzle: 420 pieces; 515 x 182 mm (20" x 7") Code: E52715 (52-715 on package) Retail price ¥1500 (approx. US$10.14 €9.38 £7.85) All about ordering (please read first)
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300 pieces
 © Fujishiro Seiji 300: The bridge of dreams (Fujishiro)There's a northern European feel to this town, but of course the story told is pure Fujishiro fantasy... 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 stockAn Appleone puzzle: 300 pieces; 260 x 380 mm (10" x 15") Code: A03217 (300-217 on package) Retail price ¥1800 (approx. US$12.16 €11.25 £9.42) All about ordering (please read first)
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 © Epoch 
300: Tokyo nightscapeOne of the best-known landmarks of modern Tokyo, Rainbow Bridge connects one of the growing number of islands created in Tokyo Bay to the original shoreline. In stockAn Epoch puzzle: 300 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10") Code: E25108 (25-108 on package) Retail price ¥1200 (approx. US$8.11 €7.50 £6.28) All about ordering (please read first)
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 © Epoch
300: Kintai bridgeThis bridge is a landmark of western Japan, with both red maples and cherry trees planted alongside, for gorgeous pictures in all seasons. We are told that the name Kintaikyô - or "Brocade sash bridge" - is derived from a resemblance to a kimono sash. This is pretty unconvincing, until you realise that the river under the bridge is Nishikigawa: this Nishiki is the Japanese reading for "brocade", written with the same Chinese character as the Kin in Kintai. The bridge consists of five wooden arches: at the time it was originally built (1673), wheeled transport was almost unknown in Japan, so presumably it was not worthwhile going to the extra effort of providing a level roadway. It seems unlikely that this design would have been used in Europe at that time. In stockAn Epoch puzzle: 300 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10") Code: E25128 (25-128 on package) Retail price ¥1200 (approx. US$8.11 €7.50 £6.28) All about ordering (please read first)
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