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

2016: Kintai bridge

This 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.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E23535 (23-535 on package)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$17.12 €15.82 £13.59)

All about ordering (please read first)

2016: Great Seto Bridge

An 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.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E23606 (23-606 on package)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$17.12 €15.82 £13.59)

All about ordering (please read first)

2000 pieces

2000: Kappa bridge, Japan Alps

This 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

This puzzle has TINY pieces!

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2000 pieces; 530 x 380 mm (21" x 15")
Code: E54023 (54-023 on package)
Retail price ¥2000 (approx. US$13.70 €12.66 £10.87)

All about ordering (please read first)

1053 pieces

1053: Great Seto Bridge

This puzzle has TINY pieces!

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1053 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: E31034 (31-034 on package)
Retail price ¥1600 (approx. US$10.96 €10.13 £8.70)

All about ordering (please read first)

1053: Tsunoshima bridge

In 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.

This puzzle has TINY pieces!

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1053 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: E31018 (31-018 on package)
Retail price ¥1600 (approx. US$10.96 €10.13 £8.70)

All about ordering (please read first)

1000 pieces

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.

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

In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 500 x 750 mm (20" x 30")
Code: A10427 (1000-427 on package)
Retail price ¥3900 (approx. US$26.71 €24.68 £21.20)

All about ordering (please read first)

1000: Himeji castle, cherry blossom time

The most famous restored castle in Japan, here Himeji castle is seen from the moat in cherry blossom time.

In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: A10833 (1000-833 on package)
Retail price ¥2600 (approx. US$17.81 €16.46 £14.13)

All about ordering (please read first)

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 stock
A Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: Y101262 (10-1262 on package)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$20.55 €18.99 £16.30)

All about ordering (please read first)

420 pieces

420: Tokyo Gate Bridge and Fuji

Another, 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

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 420 pieces; 515 x 182 mm (20" x 7")
Code: E52715 (52-715 on package)
Retail price ¥1500 (approx. US$10.27 €9.49 £8.15)

All about ordering (please read first)

300 pieces

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...

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: A03217 (300-217 on package)
Retail price ¥1800 (approx. US$12.33 €11.39 £9.78)

All about ordering (please read first)

300: Tokyo nightscape

One 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 stock
An Epoch puzzle: 300 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: E25108 (25-108 on package)
Retail price ¥1200 (approx. US$8.22 €7.59 £6.52)

All about ordering (please read first)

300: Kintai bridge

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 300 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: E25128 (25-128 on package)
Retail price ¥1200 (approx. US$8.22 €7.59 £6.52)

All about ordering (please read first)