This 1984 magic prop is now considered a rare collectible among Tenyophiles—fans of Tenyo magic.
Hiroshi Kondo was one of Tenyo Japan’s more prolific magic trick designers.
It has been reported that he worked with Hideo Kato to translate the Tarbell Course in Magic into Japanese.
In addition to Side Track, his other notable creations include T-123 Billscape, , T-142 Lancelot, T-98 Sandwich Platter and T-210 Mobile Illusion.
The design of Side Track draws influence from Kondo’s 1981 trick Midas Machine, as well as the Zig Zag Cig.
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However, the concept appears more closely related to T-210 Mobile Illusion, though with the motion reversed.
In Side Track, the black panel slides outward, whereas in Mobile Illusion the panel retreats back inside.
It uses two cards and I presume there is a hidden sliding panel in the case.
From this demo at 1:14, even after the picture of the skirt in the lower window has stopped “moving,” he continues pushing in the remaining portion of the card below.
This indicates that there are actually two separate cards involved, with a complete, fully formed picture already concealed inside the frame.
Tenyo T-118 Side Track Magic Trick Explained
Welcome to another post from the Info Ruckus Tenyo Magic Trick Secrets series.
Tenyo Side Track Routine:
The magician inserts a jumbo playing card into a clear-windowed case.
In full view, he mysteriously pulls the card’s middle section out to one side.
He then slides the piece back into the frame, removes the fully restored card, and hands it out for examination.
Watch the demo video:
Remember it is just my assumption how the Tenyo T-118 Side Track trick works.
Just like Jay Sankey ZIG ZAG card, I think this Hiroshi Kondo’s trick does not use a gimmicked card.
The same person who also created Lancelot, Billscape, Mobile Illusion, Barebone, and Dragon Altar.
His method relies on a concealed white-and-black paper loop hidden inside the case.
To create the apparent split, the magician pulls out this hidden strip instead of the card.
The motion of the white-and-black strip convincingly suggests that the card’s middle section is sliding sideways.
A close look at this demo video around the 0:36 mark reveals the telltale detail: the white strip is already extended while the card inside the frame remains stationary.
The same “clue” appears in Jeremy Pei’s demonstration, as seen from the visual below.
Another clue that confirms using this hidden paper loop, is when I noticed Madison Hagler having difficulty pulling it out at 1:00.
Anyway, here is the patents of Tenyo Side Track by Hiroshi Kondo.
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Psychology Of Tenyo Side Track Trick
Here is a clear, analytical breakdown of the psychology behind the Tenyo Side Track trick:
The effectiveness of Tenyo Side Track relies on a combination of visual continuity, perceptual assumptions, and timing-based misdirection.
The spectator is led to believe they are witnessing a single object undergoing a physical transformation.
When in reality the method exploits how the brain processes motion and completeness.
First, the trick uses object permanence bias.
When the magician places the jumbo card into the clear-windowed frame, spectators assume it remains the same card throughout the routine.
The transparent windows reinforce this belief, even though they reveal only selected portions of the card.
The mind fills in the unseen areas automatically, creating a false sense of full visibility.
Second, the lateral movement of the card’s middle section leverages motion-based misdirection.
Human attention naturally follows movement, especially when it appears mechanically constrained.
As the central section slides sideways, the spectator focuses on the impossibility of the displacement rather than questioning the structure of the card or the frame itself.
Third, the trick exploits closure and visual completion.
When the sliding section returns to the frame and the card appears restored, the brain accepts the result without re-evaluating earlier assumptions.
Because the final image is complete and familiar, spectators mentally “close the loop” and stop analyzing the process.
Finally, the handling creates a temporal disconnect.
The continued insertion of the lower card portion after the visual motion has stopped subtly separates cause from effect.
However, because this action feels procedural rather than suspicious, it goes unnoticed.
Thus allowing the hidden mechanism to do its work while the spectator believes the effect is already over.
By actively engaging these psychological principles, Tenyo Side Track delivers a clean, visual, and deceptive illusion—explaining why many consider it one of Tenyo’s strongest Zig Zag Card effects.
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Related Zig Zag–Style Effects
I believe several other Zig Zag–style effects use variations of this white-and-black paper loop principle.
Each achieves the illusion differently, as outlined below.
Z-Frame (Magic Wagon)
This 2015 wooden frame prop designed by Simon Corneille.
Z-Frame is a compact illusion in which the performer places a playing card inside a small wooden frame.
The performer slides the center section to the side, clearly splitting the card into three offset pieces.
The performer shows the frame from both the front and back, proving that the card is genuinely zig-zagged.
The sections are then pushed back into alignment, and the card is removed completely unharmed.
Watch the Z-Frame zig-zag card trick video here or here.
Magic Wagon Z-Frame Trick Secret
The paper loop is hidden inside this black C-shaped plastic.
It is placed behind the card, as seen here.
When the performer is seen pulling the mid-section of the card, is actually pulling out the paper loop from the black plastic gimmick.
The black section goes in front of the playing card.
Zig Zag Card (Tora Magic Co.)
The white-and-black paper loop gimmick is discreetly concealed inside the Zig Zag Card prop by Tora Magic.
The white strip is behind the black background inside the frame, and the black strip is inside the vertical stand.
During the act, the magician pulls out the white section behind the card, and simultaneously the black section comes up from the front.
Watch the demo video here.
Misplaced Middle / Zig Zag Lady
The Misplaced Middle trick aka the Zig Zag Lady is found inside The Magic Show book by Mark Setteducati and Anne Benkovitz.
Similarly, the design uses a hidden folded paper loop positioned next to the slot where the cut-out image of the lady is inserted.
Watch the Misplaced Middle lady card trick below:
Related Trick: Mini Zag Tenyo T-141 Trick Secret
Tenyo T-141 Mini Zag also shares a similar underlying concept with Side Track, though it achieves the effect through a distinctly different method.
The secret of this zig-zag card trick is you have to prepare a card strip to be placed inside the frame.
In his 1989 creation, Shigeru Sugawara pre-positions the middle section of a cut-out playing card strip inside the frame.
When the performer opens the hinged cover flap, the apparent middle section of the card is actually this concealed piece within the frame.
When Madison Hagler slides up the movable piece to show the apparently see-through hole, is actually a mirror-like reflective surface.
Read the fully explained secret behind Tenyo Mini Zag pocket trick.
👉 Check out Magic Wagon Ultimate Zig Zag Card Trick Secret Revealed.