As many people–and all residents of Japan–know, Japan uses two different systems for counting years: the CE (Western) system and the Japanese Era system. A few years ago, the current Emperor, Akihito, petitioned the government to allow him to step down. (Traditionally, an Emperor’s reign ends only at his death, with no provision for...
Puzzle Maker: Appleone (Japan) Title: Repair Garage (note that we couldn’t find this for sale outside Japan) Pieces: 1000 Cut: Grid cut Relative difficulty: * Overall quality: **** Review: There’s not a lot to say about this that we haven’t said about Appleone puzzles before. We’ve done enough that now we know where the...
Puzzle Maker: Tenyo (Japan) Title: (no official title given) Micky Mouse Directing Pieces: 1000 Cut: Grid cut Relative difficulty: *** Overall quality: **** Link to purchase: Amazon Japan (note: Some of the stained-glass type seem to get imported, but we couldn’t find this one outside Japan) Review: Tenyo is one of the biggest puzzle-makers...
Puzzle Maker: Ingooood (China) Title: Owl family Pieces: 1000 Cut: Grid cut Relative difficulty: * Overall quality: * Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Ingooood-Jigsaw-puzzle-2018-family-1000-Graduation-Decompression/dp/B07B7HJR34(the US store is out of stock on this, but we don’t recommend it anyway) Review: At first we were really excited about this puzzle. Visually, it’s gorgeous. And all wood! And then...
Puzzle Maker: Appleone (Japan) Title: Dayton’s Repair Garage (note that we couldn’t find this for sale outside Japan) Pieces: 1000 Cut: Grid cut Relative difficulty: * Overall quality: **** Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.co.jp/アップルワン-APPLEONE-1000-769-1000ピース-デイトンさんのリペアガレージ（50x75cm）/dp/B0107NDFM4/ (note: Appleone import puzzles at US Amazon can run more than a hundred dollars for what should be a much cheaper...
Puzzle Maker: Tenyo (Japan) Title: All Stars Stained Glass (DS-1000-764) Pieces: 1000 Cut: Grid cut Relative difficulty: ** Moderate–separating by scene is sometimes tricky because of repeated colors Overall quality: **** Link to Purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Stained-Jigsaw-Puzzle-DS-1000-764/dp/B005SL896I/ Review: Tenyo puzzles are a tactile pleasure, though they’re somewhat more expensive outside of Japan. This puzzle is the...