The objective of Jigsaw 19 is to take its 19 acrylic jigsaw-shaped pieces and fit them into a square frame. But this puzzle differs in several ways from a traditional rectangular 'Jigsaw' puzzle which typically has 4 'corner pieces' with right-angles. All of Jigsaw 19's pieces are 'corner-shaped pieces'! They are all also the same color, transparent, form no pattern or picture, and so can be flipped over to their other side. that means there is no way sort pieces into groups that are most likely to connect or form the border. Mechanical puzzles, researchers & collectors would classify this as a 'Put-Together' puzzle, sub-classifying it as a "Packing' rather than a 'Jigsaw' puzzle.

This is a puzzle about shape, not color or pattern. But it is also about overcoming preconceptions about shape. Just when one believes two pieces connect in a familiar 'Jigsaw' fashion (male-female), one becomes uneasy about the slight wiggle room of the 'successful' connection, renew the search, and discover a less traditional form of connection.

'Packing' puzzles are traditionally a solitaire puzzle, i.e. reaching over and picking up a piece would be a breach of etiquette and reluctantly agreed to if one asked. Jigsaw 19 accommodated collaborative group-solving like a traditional high piece count 'Jigsaw' puzzle. It provided an engaging 30-minute challenge for a group of 3 of our 'student curators'. A difficulty level of 4 (on a scale of 6) seems warranted. Mr. Asaka has also designed another quirky jigsaw-like 'Packing' puzzle called Jigsaw 29 which won 'Jury Honorable Mention' at the 2018 Nob Yoshigaha Puzzle Design Competition.