Some traditional themes - there is much overlap with the "Lucky!" page, as these are invariably chosen to be auspicious. Mount Fuji is an obvious topic - it's a handsome mountain, and is invariably shown in red, a depiction of a phenomenon said to occur once a year or less, in which the whole mountain glows pink at dawn. Then we have the gamut of nature represented by various plants and animals.
On this page:
Red Mt Fuji -
White tiger -
Tiger and dragon -
Flowers and birds -
Carp -
The ten goodnesses
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A phoenix in dazzling colours, set against red Fuji in the background - a traditional composition, yet in Kayomi's distinctive "feathery" style of painting.
No biographical details available. She signs her given name Kayomi in Roman letters.
 This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.
 In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E23302 (23-302 on box)
Retail price ¥3600 (approx. US$33.96 €22.64 £17.73)
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A classic composition: the deep red Fuji, surrounded by golden sky and mist...
Born in Kyoto in 1944, Kimura Keigo spent a halcyon childhood collecting beetles in the hills to the east of the old capital. A love of nature brought the desire to paint - animals, trees, rocks, and the traditional subjects from dragons to waterfalls.
Kimura is his family name, and as is usual with artists he uses his given name professionally, but does not appear to sign his paintings.
This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size. In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E23016 (23-016 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
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White horses gather below Mt. Fuji at dawn to show off their strength. A traditional theme, yet in Kajita's unmistakably vivid style.
Born in Nagoya in 1936, the artist became a successful illustrator of books, and commercial articles. In the late 1980s, he embarked on a second career, in oil painting, with which he has had many personal exhibitions.
He paints a wide range of subjects, signing the more traditional pictures with the characters for his given name, Tatsuji, together with a seal, whereas on the illustration-style paintings of trains and sailing ships he signs "T. Kajita" in the western style.
In stock
A Yanoman puzzle: 2014 pieces; 107 x 77 cm (42" x 30")
Code: Y20180 (20-180 on box)
Retail price ¥4800 (approx. US$45.28 €30.19 £23.65)
Shipping from ¥1950 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$18.40 €12.26 £9.61)
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A faithful pair of cranes, but the others flying by make an auspicious total of seven. Red Mt. Fuji in the background, together with red and white plum blossoms and a couple of turtles, complete this very traditional painting, in Kajita's distinct and vibrant style.
Born in Nagoya in 1936, the artist became a successful illustrator of books, and commercial articles. In the late 1980s, he embarked on a second career, in oil painting, with which he has had many personal exhibitions.
He paints a wide range of subjects, signing the more traditional pictures with the characters for his given name, Tatsuji, together with a seal, whereas on the illustration-style paintings of trains and sailing ships he signs "T. Kajita" in the western style.
In stock
A Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: Y101000 (10-1000 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
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In this very traditional style of picture, Fuji literally appears to glow red from the golden foil background. The composition is completed by the pair of lucky cranes, balanced by the sho-chiku-bai triplet of pine, bamboo, and plum blossom.
No biographical details available. Conventionally, artists are known by their "given names", though the 'son' character in particular clearly indicates this as a "brush name."
This puzzle has a metallic foil finish. In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E13205 (13-205 on box)
Retail price ¥3900 (approx. US$36.79 €24.53 £19.21)
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A very traditional composition: in front of an auspicious red Fuji, a pair of cranes symbolise fidelity, watched by a pair of turtles, emblems of longevity. The picture is completed by the trio of pine, bamboo, and plum blossom, or shô-chiku-bai (standard labels for the best three selections at a sushi restaurant).
The style is an interesting blend of detail in the foreground features with an impressionistic setting of mist over the lake.
Few biographical details are available, but Ogasawara has worked as a background artist for anime production, and specialises in animal portraits. Her acclaimed painting of a pair of white tigers has also featured on a jigsaw puzzle.
She does not seem to sign her paintings; she writes her given name, Etsuko, with the old form of hiragana 'e', so it may also be rendered as 'Yetsuko'.
In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: A10433 (1000-433 on box)
Retail price ¥3600 (approx. US$33.96 €22.64 £17.73)
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The classic red Fuji - a dazzling red, yet austere in its simplicity. The dark trees and the soft mist alone set off the mountain.
A traditional Japanese painter, Kurata Tatsumi was born in Mie Prefecture in 1944. He signs his given (brush) name Tatsumi with a seal of the same characters.
In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E11091 (11-091 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
Shipping from ¥1100 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$10.38 €6.92 £5.42)
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Waves crashing into the shore provide a dramatic foreground to this traditional Red Fuji painting. Traditional not only in composition, but also in its luxurious metallic finish.
Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1932, Hamada followed graduation from what is now the Kyoto City University of Arts with a career in art. He has had many successful exhibitions, both in Japan and in America, where he spent considerable time in the 1960s.
He signs his pictures traditionally, with his given name, Taisuke, and full-name seal.
This puzzle has a metallic foil finish. In stock
A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 72 x 49 cm (28" x 19")
Code: B91101 (91-101 on box)
Retail price ¥3600 (approx. US$33.96 €22.64 £17.73)
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© Inoichiro Sekiguchi
The white tiger has long been revered as a symbolic agent of the gods - and is one of the "Four deities" of feng shui. This is a graphic portrayal of a powerful, yet somehow unthreatening, animal.
No details of this artist are readily available. He signs his paintings with a seal for the first character ('Ino') of his given name only: this means 'wild boar', which might seem surprising, but it is a fairly common element in names.
This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size. In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30")
Code: E23007 (23-007 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
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© Inoichiro Sekiguchi
The white tiger has long been revered as a symbolic agent of the gods - and is one of the "Four deities" of feng shui. This is a graphic portrayal of a powerful, yet somehow unthreatening, animal.
This 2000-piece version includes a braid border, and the golden inscription "Good fortune white tiger".
No details of this artist are readily available. He signs his paintings with a seal for the first character ('Ino') of his given name only: this means 'wild boar', which might seem surprising, but it is a fairly common element in names.
In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2000 pieces; 73 x 102 cm (29" x 40")
Code: E22017 (22-017 on box)
Retail price ¥5800 (approx. US$54.72 €36.48 £28.57)
Shipping from ¥1950 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$18.40 €12.26 £9.61)
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The enigmatic title is the artist's: what can it mean? Perhaps the snow leopard's thoughts as it glances back at the waterfall and distant mountains...
Kentaro Nishino was born in 1980, in Kanazawa on the Japan Sea coast, and graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2003. He takes his inspiration from nature, while lending his own air of fantasy.
Nishino is his family name, but he signs his work "Kentaro N".
This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size. In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1500 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E15052 (15-052 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
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© Kentaro Nishino
A powerful white tiger shows his mettle...
Kentaro Nishino was born in 1980, in Kanazawa on the Japan Sea coast, and graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2003. He takes his inspiration from nature, while lending his own air of fantasy.
Nishino is his family name, but he signs his work "Kentaro N".
This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size. In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1500 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30")
Code: E15053 (15-053 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
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© Kentaro Nishino
Amidst rather fantastic surroundings, this tiger presents the traditional image of pure strength...
Kentaro Nishino was born in 1980, in Kanazawa on the Japan Sea coast, and graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2003. He takes his inspiration from nature, while lending his own air of fantasy.
Nishino is his family name, but he signs his work "Kentaro N".
In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30")
Code: E11196 (11-196 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
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© Inoichiro Sekiguchi
The white tiger has long been revered as a symbolic agent of the gods - and is one of the "Four deities" of feng shui. This is a graphic portrayal of a powerful, yet somehow unthreatening, animal.
No details of this artist are readily available. He signs his paintings with a seal for the first character ('Ino') of his given name only: this means 'wild boar', which might seem surprising, but it is a fairly common element in names.
In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30")
Code: E11084 (11-084 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
Shipping from ¥1100 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$10.38 €6.92 £5.42)
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A pair of white tigers - one placid, one baring teeth. Although these are realistic representations of the real animal, we are also expected to think of the Chinese guardian of the western celestial direction, that is, one of the four gods. In this guise, the white tiger has been revered from ancient times as a bringer of good fortune.
Few biographical details are available, but Ogasawara has worked as a background artist for anime production, and specialises in animal portraits. Her acclaimed painting of a pair of white tigers has also featured on a jigsaw puzzle.
Mystery... The three puzzles we have (as of April 2006) all have different copyright declarations: her name written in Japanese, "Row.E.Ogasawara" and "Row. V. Ogasawara" - the pictures in these latter two cases include a signature "Row." which might be a nickname. She writes her given name, Etsuko, with the old form of hiragana 'e', so it might also be rendered as 'Yetsuko', though this hardly explains the 'V'.
This is a glow-in-the-dark puzzle. In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: A10356 (1000-356 on box)
Retail price ¥3600 (approx. US$33.96 €22.64 £17.73)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
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The white tiger, protector god of the west, looking suitably fierce, yet in Kayomi's characteristically soft style. The box includes the characters for 'West: white tiger', and the Chinese reading 'Bai-hu' for "White tiger."
No biographical details available. She signs her given name Kayomi in Roman letters.
In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E11201 (11-201 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
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A white tiger family sits peacefully at the waterside...
Kentaro Nishino was born in 1980, in Kanazawa on the Japan Sea coast, and graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2003. He takes his inspiration from nature, while lending his own air of fantasy.
Nishino is his family name, but he signs his work "Kentaro N".
This is a glow-in-the-dark puzzle.  Special order
Usually ships in 7-10 days
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E13242 (13-242 on box)
Retail price ¥3900 (approx. US$36.79 €24.53 £19.21)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
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© Harai Kayomi / Studio Oz
The white tiger, one of the four protector gods, looking fierce in the moonlight. This puzzle can be combined with Golden dragon (code E11301) to make a 2000-piece panel; unusually, the tiger belongs on the right, because this is not the usual blue dragon of the east.
The box includes the Chinese reading 'Bai-hu' for "White tiger".
No biographical details available. She signs her given name Kayomi in Roman letters.
This puzzle is cut to make pieces harder to find. In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30")
Code: E11302 (11-302 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
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© Kentaro Nishino
Amidst rather fantastic surroundings, this tiger presents the traditional image of pure strength...
Kentaro Nishino was born in 1980, in Kanazawa on the Japan Sea coast, and graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2003. He takes his inspiration from nature, while lending his own air of fantasy.
Nishino is his family name, but he signs his work "Kentaro N".
This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size. In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 216 pieces; 18 x 26 cm (7" x 10")
Code: E04008 (04-008 on box)
Retail price ¥1200 (approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
Shipping from ¥400 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$3.77 €2.52 £1.97)
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The tiger, symbol of fire, and the dragon, symbol of water, are often portrayed as adversaries, representing the heaven-earth or ying-yang dichotomy.
Note that the tiger is quite naturalistic, whereas the dragon is an entirely mythical beast, and more like a snake with legs and horns than the giant lizard form of Western dragon.
This puzzle is also available in 1000 pieces (code A10311).
The painter Ozuma Kaname was born in 1939, in Niigata. He studied traditional Japanese art, and his pictures are generally based on traditional themes.
Ozuma is his family name: he signs paintings with the single character of his given name only.
In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 2000 pieces; 102 x 73 cm (40" x 29")
Code: A20047 (2000-047 on box)
Retail price ¥5800 (approx. US$54.72 €36.48 £28.57)
Shipping from ¥1950 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$18.40 €12.26 £9.61)
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The traditional confrontation: a very real-looking and fierce tiger versus the mythical oriental dragon, with its snakelike body, huge claws, staring eyes, and twisty whiskers. All this over an angry sea - with a lot of grey pieces to make this puzzle a fair challenge.
No biographical details available. She signs her given name Kayomi in Roman letters.
This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size. In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1500 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E15024 (15-024 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
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The traditional adversaries: the tiger quite naturalistic, against the mythical dragon. All set against a background of fire and thunder.
Born in Ibaraki, in 1969, Suwahara embarked on a career as a freeleance illustrator in 1996. He has specialised in historical figures, especially from the Three Kingdoms story, and brings a very modern technique to some traditional themes.
Suwahara is his family name.
In stock
A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 72 x 49 cm (28" x 19")
Code: B61269 (61-269 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
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The tiger, symbol of fire, and the dragon, symbol of water, are often portrayed as adversaries, representing the heaven-earth or ying-yang dichotomy.
Note that the tiger is quite naturalistic, whereas the dragon is an entirely mythical beast, and more like a snake with legs and horns than the giant lizard form of Western dragon.
This puzzle is also available in 2000 pieces (code A20047).
The painter Ozuma Kaname was born in 1939, in Niigata. He studied traditional Japanese art, and his pictures are generally based on traditional themes.
Ozuma is his family name: he signs paintings with the single character of his given name only.
In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: A10311 (1000-311 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
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The classic duo from the four protector gods: the tiger quite naturalistic, but the dragon a fantastic scaly snake-like body with fierce fangs, talons, and horns.
The painter Ozuma Kaname was born in 1939, in Niigata. He studied traditional Japanese art, and his pictures are generally based on traditional themes.
Ozuma is his family name: he signs paintings with the single character of his given name only.
In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: A10371 (1000-371 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
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The traditional confrontation: a very real-looking and fierce tiger versus the mythical oriental dragon, with its snakelike body, huge claws, staring eyes, and twisty whiskers. All this over an angry sea - with a lot of grey pieces to make this puzzle a fair challenge.
No biographical details available. She signs her given name Kayomi in Roman letters.
This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size. In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 450 pieces; 38 x 26 cm (15" x 10")
Code: E08001 (08-001 on box)
Retail price ¥1400 (approx. US$13.21 €8.81 £6.90)
Shipping from ¥500 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$4.72 €3.14 £2.46)
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The auspicious crane, the showy peacock, the humble chicken - this common style portrays birds surrounded by suggestions of their natural habitat...
© Beverly
The crane is a symbol of longevity and prosperity, and here four of them stand delicately painted against a background of plum blossom. The rising sun completes the picture.
While three preen and pose, one adds a touch of humour with a quizzical gaze straight out of the canvas.
In stock
A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 49 x 72 cm (19" x 28")
Code: B61258 (61-258 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
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A gorgeous historical screen painting from the Kanô school - a number of birds parade in surroundings of peonies and plum blossoms, with a backdrop of rather abstract mountain scenery.
This will not be an easy puzzle, given the considerable area of golden brown background, but it will surely be interestingly different.
Useful Wikipedia article on the Kanô school
In stock
A Road puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: RS11140 (RS-11-140 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
Shipping from ¥1100 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$10.38 €6.92 £5.42)
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The long, clear call of the cockerel has made it a traditional symbol for long life. Here Kaname surrounds the cock and hen with flowers, particularly the auspicious peony, in a classic 'bird-and-flower' (kachôzu) composition.
The painter Ozuma Kaname was born in 1939, in Niigata. He studied traditional Japanese art, and his pictures are generally based on traditional themes.
Ozuma is his family name: he signs paintings with the single character of his given name only.
In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: A10326 (1000-326 on box)
Retail price ¥3600 (approx. US$33.96 €22.64 £17.73)
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A total of three birds display their plumage in a florid setting. The peacock has been revered since ancient days in India, for its usefulness in eating poisonous snakes.
The artist was born in 1948, in Niigata. After working for a textile company, he went independent as a textile designer. He has his own individual drawing style, bringing a fresh approach to many traditional art themes.
He goes by his given name, Hakuga, in the traditional way, signing his paintings in a stylised, but non-cursive form.
In stock
A Road puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: RS11268 (RS-11-268 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$28.30 €18.87 £14.78)
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This traditional label encompasses numerology and untranslatable wordplay. For example, "nine horses" can be read as a pun (umaku) meaning "successfully". But some of the ingredients are standard groups, like the seven gods of fortune.
