This puzzle is based upon the Cross puzzle, but you can see the Pagode is much more complicated the the cross puzzle. The Pagode can be made in different sizes. The example shown here has 51 pieces. The smaller puzzles have an increasing size of 3, 9, 19 and 33 pieces, but puzzles made of 73, 95, 121, 151 or even more pieces are also possible. The amount of pieces increases exponential in every next puzzle. Every Pagode is constructed with a central cross of three pieces. The remaining pieces have to put on this cross. The puzzle is complete after the key piece is turned. All pieces are then solidly connected.

When you are going to make a Japanese Crystal, you first have to determine which size the puzzle must have. Every Crystal has one central cross made by two K₁ pieces and one K₂ piece. In the table below is shown which pieces are used for the several puzzle sizes.

The smallest Japanese Crystal made of three pieces is in fact exactly the same as the Cross Puzzle.