Fractal Drawer (9-Unit)

The Realization of a Vision

Released in February 2026, this extraordinary piece by master craftsman Hiroshi Iwahara builds upon the legacy of his 2017 "Aquarius Drawer". Fulfilling a promise made nearly a decade ago, Iwahara has successfully extended his original mechanism to create a towering achievement in the world of mechanical art.

Mathematical Precision and Binary Logic

This elegant wooden box conceals a highly sophisticated system of nine interlinked sliders. Operating on principles of binary logic, the precise mathematical move count follows the equation 2 x 2⁹ - 3. The journey to open it occurs in two major phases: the first drawer emerges on the 9th move, but the ultimate reward—the second drawer—demands a staggering 1,021 steps.

An Unforgiving Single Path

Solving the Fractal Drawer is a marathon of focus. There is only one correct path to victory, making it incredibly easy to lose track of your current position and orientation among the sliders. To aid brave challengers, Iwahara has thoughtfully included a compass-style progress checklist.

Specifications

Creator: Hiroshi Iwahara

Created: February 2026

Difficulty: Extreme (1,021 steps)

Materials: Walnut, Keyaki (Zelkova), Shiuri Cherry, Pin

External Dimensions: 25.0 × 6.8 × 5.0 cm

Internal Space (2 storages): 2.0 × 1.7 × 1.1 cm each

Included: Gift box, solution sheet, and progress checklist