Puzzles: Interlocking Animal Figures


Japanese House Photo

During the Edo Period (1603-1867) the Japanese evolved wood joining techniques which enabled them to construct a building without the use of nails! The puzzles illustrated on this Webpage make use of this same architectural technique. Jerry Slocum & Jack Botermans, Puzzles Old & New, Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1987, page 64, discuss puzzles such as these, the factories which make them, and the details of their construction.

The solutions for each of the following puzzles illustrated on this Webpage are identical, except that the number of pieces in each puzzle depends upon the animal that is depicted. Each puzzle - though appearing to be a series of non-removable interlocking pieces - has a "key piece". When this piece is removed, it is is then possible to take the puzzle apart. It is some what easier to take these puzzles apart than to put them back together again! These four puzzles were made in Japan and were purchased by the Museum in 1973.

Duck Puzzle:

This puzzle is composed of 15 notched wooden pieces which when assembled correctly form a figure that is 10cm long x 4cm wide x 8cm high.

Duck Puzzle
Pig Puzzle:

This puzzle is composed of 15 notched wooden pieces which when assembled correctly form a figure that is 9cm long x 5cm wide x 4.8cm high.

Pig Puzzle
Dog Puzzle:

This puzzle is composed of 15 notched wooden pieces which when assembled correctly form a figure that is 11cm long x 3.5cm wide x 7.7cm high.

Dog Puzzle
Elephant Puzzle:

This puzzle is composed of 16 notched wooden pieces which when assembled correctly form a figure that is 5.5cm square x 5.8cm high.

Elephant Puzzle

NOTE: This page was originally created and posted on the Web on October 6, 1997. Subsequently it has been modified and periodically updated. Last update April 7, 2010