The Sakkaku Scale (Acrylic) Deluxe by Tenyo, Olaf Güthling

Here is another beautiful upgraded Tenyo item from Olaf Güthling. He has added a matching box for The Sakkaku Scale (Acrylic).

Tenyo released this illusion in 2001 as part of the +1 series. About 10 years later, Tenyo enlarged the pieces for Sakkaku Scale DX onto magnetic sheets for presentation on a whiteboard. In the meantime, a reissue of the original version was available for purchase, but it is now out of stock. The latest version, introduced in early May 2024 and available at the 2024 fan meeting, is larger than the classic version but smaller than the DX edition and made of 3 mm Plexiglas. This edition comes in a matching tray in which the “cats” and the “ruler” are placed back at the end of the routine.

The beautiful mahogany box is closed with a magnetic lock and the small drawer is designed so that the individual parts can be easily removed by pressing at a certain point. The material is blackened mahogany. Red or green felt is inserted.

The Sakkaku Scale is based on the Jastro Illusion that has been used in science and magic at least as early as 1873.  For a more detailed description of the history and the effect please read Peter Prevos’ book The Jastro Illusion in Magic (c. 2016).

The effect with the custom box is the same, but if you like real wood, as most collector’s do, you’ll love this box, it really upgrades the feel of the whole effect and adds to the illusion.

One of the best things about this deluxe version is that it is always ready to go and the box just sits neatly in the Porcupine looking intriguing and ready to be picked up and demonstrated 🙂

Effect: Invented by Toru Suzuki this is by far the most brilliant application of the “Boomerang Illusion (Jastrow Illusion)” ever created. It is an ideal item to carry around in your pocket or wallet and demonstrate for friends and clients during casual occasions.

As you talk about optical illusions you show three plastic strips. Two of the strips have cats printed on them and one has a ruler. Using the ruler you show that all are the same size. Then the cats appear to get shorter and longer and each time you use the ruler to show that they apparently did change in size. This looks so impossible that you will fool yourself every time you demonstrate it.

Text Source: Olaf Güthling – Private Email, November, 2025

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