Let’s get into the plastic box to find out more details how this Tenyo penetration trick works.
How the sword could apparently penetrate the folded bill and card inside the plastic case.
This 1989 Tenyo magic trick is designed by Hiroki Kondo, who also created “T-123 Billscape“, “The Pillar Of Thor” and “T-118 Side Track“.
Welcome to another post from the Info Ruckus Tenyo Magic Trick Secrets series.
This is another one of my old speculations based on merely viewing the demo videos online.
I would explain my views and backed up with supporting pictures, illustrations and video snippets.
Likewise, I would include the psychology behind this Tenyo magic trick, Lancelot T-142.
Tenyo Lancelot Routine:
The magician borrows a dollar bill, folds it and inserts it into a clear plastic case together with a card.
Then place the see-through case inside a plastic box with an attached cover.
Close it and thrust a spear through the tiny hole hole in the center of the box.
In short, the pointed sword must have penetrated the plastic case with the bill and card inside it.
But surprisingly, when the box is opened, the plastic case, bill and card emerge unscathed.
Watch the demo video of Tenyo T-142 Lancelot:
Lancelot Tenyo Trick Secret Revealed
Now let’s explore the possibilities how Tenyo T-142 Lancelot penetration trick is done.
How do the plastic case with the bill and card avoid being impaled by the sword, when they are trapped inside the closed box.
Lancelot Tenyo Trick Box Design Features
One feature that caught my attention with this penetration trick is the depth the box.
Why does it need such a deep box for just placing a flat plastic case with the folded banknote and card?
Nail Through Coin Magic Trick
At that juncture it reminded me of the popular classic “Nail Through Coin” or “Spiked Coin” pocket trick.
I think the method of Lancelot T-142 could be somewhat similar to this penetration trick.
The secret is by tilting the coin or disc vertically inside the container.
When they thrust in the first nail or spike, it pushes the coin or disc upwards, as shown below.
This illustration is taken from the instruction sheet of Royal Magic Spiked Coin found in eBay.
But as for Lancelot by Tenyo, it is slightly different.
The plastic case with the bill and card are soft and pliable, so they can bend or fold inside the box.
Another thing I noticed are the rows of lines and particularly these two side ridges inside the plastic box.
I guess they are not design features, but they could be part of the trick secrets.
This is what I think how Lancelot T-142 trick is done.
Lancelot Tenyo Trick Plastic Case Position
Place the bottom edge of the plastic case against the two short ridges, as illustrated below:
While its top edge resting on the hinge of the box.
This is the scene captured from Madison Hagler of Presenting Tenyo video clip at 2:58.
As they close the box, the plastic case with the bill and card will bend or fold downward towards the bottom side of the box.
Watch how this performer positions the plastic case inside the box at 1:02.
He places the edge of the plastic case against the two short ridges, before laying it down inside the box.
So is this Japanese video at 0:20.
Watch how he lays down the plastic case inside the box from this video clip at 1:10.
This is another video he places one side of the plastic case against the ridges at 8:21.
Tenyo Lancelot Plastic Case Blocks Box Cover
In fact, when they close the cover of the box, you notice the abrupt obstruction.
It is because of the top edge of the plastic case getting into its way.
Watch closely at the cover of the box in this demo video by Magic Patagonia, at 1:04, as he brings it down.
From this Presenting Tenyo video, it is at 3:00 when he presses the cover down.
At 0:21 Mizuno Miyako has slight difficulty pressing down the plastic case with the box cover.
This is how the plastic case together with the folded bill and the card avoid being punctured by the sword.
Why I think this is how the Lancelot T-142 is done?
Tenyo Lancelot Bent Plastic Case
After the penetration trick, when they open the box, the plastic case with the bill bill and card are slightly bent.
The curved up card with the bill is captured from Logan & Ben Magic Fun video.
This is taken from Roberto’s Magic Patagonia.
The bent card together with banknote inside the box below is from Presenting Tenyo.
Here is another arched plastic case with the folded bill and card after the trick.
So the method of the Lancelot T-142 trick by Tenyo is, folding up the plastic case and held it in place by the box cover.
This is the Lancelot Tenyo trick secret.
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Psychology Of Lancelot Tenyo Trick T-142
1. Illusion of Risk and Danger
Lancelot creates the visual of a sword piercing a bill or card inside a box. Spectators naturally assume the object is vulnerable, which triggers heightened attention and suspense. The tension comes from the perceived danger—people are wired to anticipate harm, making the eventual “miracle” release far more impactful.
2. Misdirection Through Props
The trick uses a flexible plastic case cleverly positioned inside the box. Spectators focus on the dramatic sword thrust and the idea that it should damage the contents. Meanwhile, the magician subtly exploits the pliability of the case and its placement, which spectators never notice. This is a classic example of selective attention, where the audience sees only what the magician wants them to see.
3. Perceived Fairness
Allowing spectators to inspect the box, sword, and case (or even push the case in) strengthens the illusion that the effect is impossible. The brain interprets transparency and hands-on involvement as fairness, which increases the psychological impact when the bill emerges intact.
4. Surprise And Cognitive Dissonance
When the sword passes “through” the box and the bill remains unharmed, spectators experience cognitive dissonance. Their mind knows the sword should have pierced the bill, but it didn’t. This conflict amplifies astonishment and creates a memorable, “how did he do that?” moment.
5. Repetition Reinforces Believability
If the magician repeats the effect or shows the mechanism from different angles (without revealing the secret), it strengthens the perception that the sword truly passed through the bill safely. This repetition leverages pattern reinforcement, making the effect feel consistent and magical.
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