In the 1980 and 1990's, along with Tenyo and Tricks Co and Rabbit Co in Japan, there was another Asian company bringing neat, innovative magic to American magicians That company was Kaifu Wang's Black Hat Magic in Taiwan. Black Hat items had the same surprising innovation and magical thinking that the great Japanese companies of that era had. As fans of these companies already know, the magical effects and props somehow mix cuteness (and sometimes goofiness) with diabolical ingenuity, as well as a charismatic, childlike charm. And somehow, this odd mixture results in really interesting and compelling magical props, effects and methods.
Like items from those companies, Black Hat Magic items became difficult to find after the companies ceased production of them. But in the early 2000's, a company in the USA obtained the rights to produce and distribute many Black Hat effects. They made the props exactly the same, and the instructions and packaging are also the same, save for the distributors name where it once said "Black Hat Magic". Alas, that distributor has long since ceased production of the wonderful Black Hat line now also.
But I did manage to find a few of this item -- Perspective Pendant. It is an ESP symbol divination, combining high quality, intriguing props, and two wonderfully under-used magical principles. It looks like this:
Magi shows six oversized (about 3x5 inches) ESP symbol cards. The backs of the cards have an old-time sepia pentagram design. Also shown are six ungimmicked envelopes. The spectator slides the six symbol cards facedown into the envelopes (one in each envelope). She mixes the envelopes on the table. (The magician's back can be turned during this process). If not turned away already, the magi turns away, and asks her to slide one card out of its envelope and turn it faceup, remembering the symbol she has chosen. She is then to mix the envelopes again. The magi turns back to her, and he deals the opaque (they really are!) envelopes onto the table in a row. Now he shows a crystal pendant. He holds it above each card for a few seconds. Nothing seems to happen, but as he reaches one of the envelopes, the pendant begins to sway and circle -- the magi's hand is still; the pendant appears to move via some secret force. The spectator pulls the card from that envelope and it is her symbol.
The routine uses the Fillman and Pendulum principles -- oh, I just gave it away, but the props are so absolutely gorgeous that you would want to buy this, even if you are familiar with those two secret principles.
Although not an original Black Hat Magic piece, this remake is exactly the same except for the packaging and instruction sheet logos. So you can buy with confidence that you are getting some of the great magic of the Japanese/Asian invasion that occurred in magic in the last quarter of the 20th century.
Brand new and unused
