This Quaternary Box stands out as undeniably one of the most formidable challenges among Karakuri puzzles you might ever encounter—no exaggeration! Opening it demands an impressive 1,536 steps, navigating a simultaneous sliding sequence intricately spread across three sides of the cube. What sets the fun quotient soaring for this particular box is its solution grounded in mathematics, making it a perfect delight for engineers or those aspiring to delve into the world of engineering!
The original model, KING CUBI (RF-28), shared the same dimensions as the Quaternary Box but was not easy to play with. In this improved model, Hiroshi Iwahara redesigned it in the same size as the "Super-CUBI" (RF-4). The Quaternary Box is a significantly improved mechanism, now moving much more smoothly and enhancing the overall user experience.
The digital Yosegi pattern on its surface is the mathematical formula guiding the required moves—specifically, “2 times 4 to the 4th power times 3.” Feel free to embark on this intriguing calculation. As a side note, the '^' character on the keyboard, bringing to mind the Japanese hiragana character “へ,” adds a delightful touch. (Yosegi: Eiji Shinoda)
Hiroshi Iwahara, the designer, shares his thoughts about Karkuri SUPER CUBIs: "I was impressed by this box, and was determined to create Karakuri. Complex mechanisms and simple expressions produce functional beauty. I’ll create those products."
