Updated Sakkaku Scale availability?

[erdnasephile]

In a recent Genii, I read in an article that Tenyo had updated their Sakkaku Scale set that is improved and has a new climax at the end.
I have seen the jumbo set they released a while ago (Sakkaku Scale DX), but haven't been able to hunt down the new and improved version mentioned in the article.
Does anyone know if this is available and if so, where? (I checked Seo Magic but came up empty)
Thanks!

[Edward Pungot]

Curiosity killed the 猫, but satisfaction brought it back.

This is an acrylic plate ruler for the super masterpiece magic. It is a precious item that was sold exclusively at the Tenyo Magic Fan Meeting 2024.

As the size is larger than the conventional version, the illusion is intensified! There are also new and effective ways of presentation using the included acrylic base, which are a must-see! Additionally, it is possible to carry it around with a keychain attached!

The phenomenon of a hard plate with a cat drawn on it stretching and shrinking right in front of your eyes…. the impact of this phenomenon is significantly heightened due to the material of the acrylic, which gives a sense of rigidity!

[erdnasephile]

Thank you!

[Richard Kaufman]

You should send an email to SEO Magic asking if they can obtain one for you.

[erdnasephile]

Done! Thanks, RK!

[Edward Pungot]

How bad do you want it?
https://www.mercari.com/us/item/m82427771075

[kkelly]

isn't david regal's "the long and short of it" just as effective?

[Richard Kaufman]

Kevin, I don't believe so. I have never seen any version of this trick as effective as Sakkuku Scale, though Michael Weber sells a version with curved rulers that comes close.

[Jonathan Townsend]

Does the larger acrylic scale set also have a sleeve?

If you know Fit, you know why I asked.

[Edward Pungot]

To answer your question Jonathan: No.
What you are provided with instead is an acrylic base to house the three acrylic plates.

Because of the size and thickness of the acrylic material, a sleeve would not be practical. So the base has been provided.

The plates are about an inch to an inch and a half smaller in length than the FiT variety, but the differences in curvature wouldn’t allow for them it be retrofitted into the custom box.

An additional page of instructions have been provided to presentationally introduce the three acrylic plates housed in the base unit and an appropriate magical ending which places the plates back.

The original two page instructions for the smaller version is also provided.

With the instructions being entirely in Japanese and not having Steve Cohen or SEO Magic to assist in translation, I used google (with a capital G) AI technology and my phone’s camera lens to decipher the philosophical and presentation heavy enigma which is the Japanese language. In a strange way, it felt like reading a translation from Max Maven.

AI translation from Japanese to English can give you various interpretations depending if you wish to see the trees for the forest. At times, heavy text translation improved when the camera focus was up close on just an unclear section of the overall page instead of the far away bird’s eye view. The act of using the AI technology became a Sakkaku performance in itself.

End by saying,
“Optical illusions are really strange, aren’t they?”

Indeed they are.

[erdnasephile]

How bad do you want it?
https://www.mercari.com/us/item/m82427771075

Thanks, Mr. Pungot--nice to be able to see what it looked like. Appreciate your efforts in tracking it down.

[Edward Pungot]

It appears the listing vanished all of a sudden.
Perhaps someone on the Japan end purchased it.
Here’s another view:
https://www.mercari.com/us/item/m49899595123

In my opinion, the original mass market version is better material wise and more practical and portable for everyday carry.

The acrylic version would be good in a more formal close-up or bar magic setting where a close-up mat could be used. I’m not 100% certain about the properties of acrylic, but it looks like they can be potentially scratched and scruffed-up if not handled gently and performed on a soft surface.

The key chain option is a bit too kawaii-cute for my taste, although replacing it with a bit longer chain would be a nice segue to perhaps a cat’s cradle routine structured around the topological scam better known as fast and loose.

[Bill Mullins]

What is the reference to "Fit" above?

[Edward Pungot]

It’s the title of Webber’s version that Kaufman mentions when comparing other presentational variants and handlings of the Jastrow Illusion.

[Bill Mullins]

Thanks. It all makes sense now.

[erdnasephile]

November Genii arrived in the mail. (Great issue!). Of note, on page 45, there is the ad for this updated version. It sold for 3,000 Japanese Yen = $21.69 USD, which seems amazingly cheap!

[erdnasephile]

Sorry, my typo: the price was 3,300 Japanese Yen = $21.69 at today's exchange rate

[AJM]

I’m in Japan at the minute and would say that, in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, Tenyo Magic is pretty hard to come by.

I saw the odd few bits in Takashimaya, Tokyo although Billy Masuda and the Tenyo Corner no longer appear to be there.
I came across pretty much the same few tricks again in the BIC Camera store in Namba, Osaka.
Takashimaya in Kyoto and Osaka appeared not to stock any Tenyo items whatsoever.

Quite a change since my last visit when Tenyo items were ubiquitous.

I appreciate the 2025 magic range will be released imminently however I’m not greatly impressed by the latest releases.

Cheers

Andrew

[Richard Kaufman]

Hi Andrew, There are Tenyo magic corners in Kiddyland in Osaka, Billy's corner is still there in Tokyo but he is only there on the weekends. Tenyo magic is now widely sold in toy and other stores that you are less likely to find as a tourist. Mr. Shimizu is at the Hakukinkan store in Haneda airport on Friday, Saturday, and Sundays, and there is also a Tenyo magic counter a the Hakuhinkan store in the Ginza but it has no demonstrator.

[AJM]

Thank you Richard.

Erdnasephile - sent you a private message.

Andrew