Smart Guillotine by Tenyo Magic

Set the blade-shaped black plate on the transparent stand. Insert a rolled bill, or even your spectator’s finger, into the hole, then drop the blade straight down. The moment is shocking, yet completely safe, creating a powerful illusion.

The guillotine has long been a favorite challenge for magic creators, combining the mystery of penetration effects with the thrill of “Will my finger survive this?” Many versions have appeared over the years. Tenyo once released the See-Through Guillotine (1977, Shigeru Sugawara), a clever take on the classic effect.

Smart Guillotine goes even further. It uses a fresh principle that has never before been applied to this type of penetration magic, and even seasoned magicians will struggle to understand its method.

Spectators can tap or rub the black plate to confirm it is solid, seamless plastic. The stand is transparent, offering nowhere to hide anything. By all logic, the blade should have no possible path around the bill or finger. That impossibility is the heart of the mystery.

Once you learn the ingenious secret, you’ll understand why this effect truly earns the name “Smart.”