The founder, who lived from 1874 to 1954, began adapting traditional Japanese interlocking carpentry to small puzzles in the 1890s. His works, particularly the iconic animal and building designs, continued to be produced and marketed into the 1950s.

The works continue through the generations of the Yamanaka family. Shigeo Yamanaka (4th-generation master born in 1936) was highly active from the 1950s onward, widely celebrated for his exhibitions starting in the 1970s. Works are still produced today by the 5th-generation craftsman, Tadaaki Yamanaka.