the original spoon & tamago blog post on Japanese TV
Earlier this week Fuji TV’s FNN News interviewed Kazuo Nomura – we know him better as “Papa” – the creator of Papa’s Maze. It was a significant event because not only did it expose the identity of the creator, who up until now has remained anonymous on the internet and communicated only through his daughter, but it also marked the TV debut of Spoon & Tamago!
“this is my father” — @Kya7y
Mr. Kazuo Nomura, the creator of Papa’s Maze
A crew of cameramen and journalists visited Mr. Nomura’s home in Japan to talk about how the maze he drew 32 years ago became an internet star. The show featured the original article that appeared on Spoon & Tamago, as well as how we began selling it. They even featured an email from one of our customers, who wrote in telling us that she had solved all 5 goals. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first person to solve the maze. Even Mr. Nomura himself had yet to conquer his own creation.
an email we received from one of our customers | used with permission
On the show they then challenged Mr. Nomura to try and solve his maze, which he did in 10 minutes.
“I’m so happy for you Dad,” tweeted his daughter @Kya7y, after the show aired. “So many people saw your creation. And to think it almost got thrown out in the garbage without anyone ever seeing it. Yay internet! #maze”
Several months ago we asked Mr. Nomura if would ever draw another maze. At the time he said no. “I’ve had enough of mazes.” But recently he’s had a change of heart and, for the first time in 32 years, has sat down to create a new maze. “It’s cleaner and easier to solve,” he said, describing his new and improved maze. He’s been spending 30 minutes each evening and is about half way through.
a side-by-side comparison of the new maze (left) and the old maze (right)
Mr. Nomura is spending 30 minutes each night working on his new maze. It’s about halfway complete.
December 9, 2014 at 4:15 pm
Congratulations to Spoon and Tamago for your TV debut. In a short span of time
S & T has been acknowledged by both BBC, who picked up the beautiful puffer fish love story and Fuji TV, who interviewed Kazuo Nomura of Papa’s Maze fame. Wonderful tributes to your blog.
Continued success in uncovering such rare stories on Spoon & Tamago.
December 27, 2014 at 9:38 am
Solution to the Maze, solved and uploaded by Hollis Williams on 25.12.14. Signature and date in bottom right corner in black ink, solution drawn in red ink from start point to end point. Also found a second goal but didn’t draw it because I thought only one was necessary.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=812662125439504&set=a.520395261332860.1073741828.100000871732620&type=1&theater