What is Kumiki?
The word Kumiki comes from Japanese and refers to a joining together. In Japanese carpentry tradition, Kumiki was taught by the master craftsmen to their apprentices as an important technique that allowed them to build without the need for metal fasteners or bolts. This was incredibly important due to the frequent seismic activity that Japan experiences. Wood adjoined by metal bolts and fasteners fared poorly during earthquakes and were prone to fail; by building with this Kumiki style of woodworking, buildings were more earthquake resistant and easier to repair when damaged.
Using Kumiki for Puzzles
Constructing homes and buildings with this carpentry style was common throughout Japanese antiquity, but it was not until the 1890s that this technique was first applied to puzzles. Tsunetaro Yamanaka was the first craftsman to take the Kumiki philosophy and apply it to small constructions like puzzles. Yamanaka’s creations were famed not only for their revolutionary style, but for the unique interpretations of objects, vehicles, animals, and other real-life things that they depicted. These Japanese puzzles became a tradition and a staple within the Yamanaka family, passed on through generations. Tsunetaro’s grandson, Tadaaki, still continues the Kumiki culture to this day.
Kumiki Puzzles Contemporarily
Today, Kumiki puzzles are classified by Jerry Slocum as figural, interlocking solid puzzles, a sub-classification under the greater umbrella of mechanical puzzles. In its classification, interlocking solid describes the puzzles construction and the methods for solving it. Puzzles that fall into this category require both assembly and disassembly in order to solve. Kumiki puzzles are figural in that the shape they compose when assembled tends to mimic existing objects or animals rather than geometric creations. Kumiki puzzles can come in a nearly endless number of shapes; including – but by no means limited to – a dog, pig, airplane, boat, wine barrel, and more. Kumiki puzzles like these that compose interesting objects or animals are very popular for adults and kids alike. Largely on account of how useful they are even after being solved. With a puzzle like Best Friend, or Lindbergh’s Spirit, knowing the final shape helps the puzzler in finding the solution. When one or more parts are easily identifiable from the get-go, it is easy to know which parts will be able to join together, and therefore the puzzle becomes easier as well. What these specific kinds of Kumiki puzzles may lack in difficulty, they more than make up for with their replay ability. The fun continues even after completing the puzzle multiple times. Since they make such fascinating shapes and objects, they make perfect decorations for a desk, coffee table, or bookshelf. While on display as home décor they can then be admired, enjoyed, and solved by any guests or passersby. Or, for children, they can be used as play toys when fully constructed.
Types of Kumiki Puzzles
Traditionally there are four different kinds of Kumiki puzzles. They are differentiated by the way they can be taken apart. Kumiki puzzles typically have one key piece that must be removed first in order to begin disassembly. An important aspect of every Kumiki puzzle is strategically hiding or obscuring the key piece. This piece essentially holds the entire puzzle together. It is not until the key is removed that the other pieces are able to be subsequentially removed. Each kind of Kumiki puzzle entails a different move or method for extracting the first key piece. First are Oshi puzzles, in which the key piece must be pushed out from the greater puzzle. Second is Mawashi, where the key piece has to be twisted in order to remove it. Next is Kendon, with Kendon puzzles the key piece is removed by moving it up and down, or left and right. Lastly, Sayubiki puzzles require the user to remove two or more key pieces simultaneously.
Kumiki and You
Kumiki puzzles are popular because of their exciting play, fun shapes, and affordable prices. Their affordability and the familiar shapes they create make them perfect gifts for children and adults alike. Great for puzzle collectors who have lots of puzzles already, due to their unique appearances they will bring a breath of fresh air to any collection. Perfect for beginning puzzlers thanks to their relatively easy difficulty. Ideal for kids too since the puzzle can double as a toy when constructed, or a fun educational fidgeting tool while building and disassembling. They are some of the most popular puzzles and 3D brainteasers today thanks to their affordability and accessibility, allowing them to provide hours and hours of enjoyment for puzzlers across the world.
