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
Missing Piece?
OK, so you've done the puzzle carefully, it's almost finished, and you get that sinking feeling. There are plainly five holes, and exactly four pieces to fit in them. What should you do? Well, first fill in all the holes except one, then...
- Look everywhere. In the folds of your sweater, behind the cushions, under the table.
- Now look under the carpet.
- Go to bed, and look again in the morning.
If all else fails, this page may be able to help you! Complete the form below, and we will try to get you a replacement piece.
Small Print
This page is provided in the hope it will be useful. I am not acting as agent for any of the puzzle manufacturers; I cannot guarantee that you will be able to get a replacement, and I cannot accept any responsibility in the event of any dispute or problem (except for refunding any fee you have paid us).
Unfortunately it's common to find that a piece is missing in a puzzle bought several years previously, having sat on a shelf for some time before that. In such cases, you are likely to be disappointed. (But see below)
It doesn't matter whether the missing piece is from a puzzle you bought from us - if you are an Imaginatorium Shop customer, I'll do whatever I can to help you get a replacement piece, including forwarding by post if necessary. I'm afraid that for non-customers, if we have to handle forwarding of pieces, postcards, or whatever, there will be an administration fee of 1000 yen. Of course, the best way to avoid this is to buy a puzzle, and become a customer!
Where possible, we will pass the contact information you give to the manufacturer, so they can send you a piece directly.
Enquiry form
We need to know the manufacturer and puzzle details; all puzzles include a "Missing piece" card (or slip) with a manufacturing date code, and we need this to ensure an exact replacement. (The dies used to cut puzzles change from time to time.) Then we need to know which piece, and your contact details.
Key to manufacturing date code for Yanoman puzzles
The left side (in the picture) of the missing piece card is the part to be completed, and it has a date code stamped at the bottom right. The date (upper line) is in the format YY.MM.DD (Western year - month - day) followed by a code. The lower line ("05 757" in the example) is the puzzle code. We only need the date code, but please check that the puzzle code is also correct.
Note on micro-puzzles
Unfortunately, the very small Yanoman puzzles (code Y98- for 208 tiny pieces, Y41- for 500 tiny pieces, etc) are not supplied with a batch code that actually identifies the cut, so the manufacturer requires the surrounding pieces to be sent. This makes the whole process uneconomic compared with simply buying a replacement puzzle. We can only help in special cases, such as when the puzzle has just been discontinued.
Show information for a different manufacturer:
If all else fails...
If you have a puzzle that is five or more years old, or if it's not from a Japanese manufacturer and you cannot find a contact for getting replacements, all may not be lost. Try the Jigsaw Puzzle Doctor, a UK firm that makes individual replacement pieces for a very reasonable fee.
