This puzzle was formerly sold by Crafty Puzzles and is retained as a free reference item. It is no longer available to purchase from this website.
Original Crafty Puzzles photographs
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Japanese Crystal
A nine-piece cross-shaped burr with a more complex central build.
Mini Links Cross
A smaller Mini Links Cross; compare notch positions before using the solution.
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Try a hint before revealing the answer
Open one hint at a time to preserve some of the challenge.
Hint 1
Lay out the nine pieces using the labels A1, A2, B1, C1 and D1–D5 from the diagram.
Hint 2
A1 and A2 create the starting frame; B1 crosses it to make the central core.
Hint 3
The D pieces are added one at a time, with D5 acting as the final key.
Written assembly guide
- Join A1 and A2 to create the open starting frame.
- Cross B1 through that frame and rotate the three pieces into the central shape shown at stage 4.
- Add D1 and D2 through the lower and side openings, keeping the assembly loose.
- Insert D3 and D4 from opposite sides to build the outer lattice.
- Slide C1 through the central channel at stages 13–14.
- Insert D5 through the last open channel and rotate the completed assembly to lock it.
Use the preserved diagram or video alongside these steps for exact orientation. The written guide is an original summary prepared for this archive.
Complete Japanese Crystal solution
The original Crafty Puzzles instruction diagram is preserved below.
Reveal the Japanese Crystal solution diagram
Select the diagram to open a full-screen zoomable view. The original file is also available for printing.
Step-by-step solution for the Japanese Crystal nine-piece wooden burr puzzle.
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Source and verification
- Archive source
- Original Crafty Puzzles archive material
- Information checked
- 13 June 2026
- Verification status
- Archive-preserved; not independently physically tested
- Page status
- Original Crafty Puzzles URL preserved
- Rights handling
- Legacy Crafty Puzzles archive material — This material was present on the historic Crafty Puzzles website supplied by the site owner. Individual legacy asset rights have not been independently re-verified, so it should not be reused elsewhere without separate permission. Read the site-wide policy
