3.75-sun Go Floor Board – Kyushu Kaya, Single-piece, Flat-grain cut (back face) ( Item No. K60 )

About the Wood

This board is made from a single plank of kaya grown in Kyushu. Kaya has been used for Go and shogi boards for centuries, valued for its moderate elasticity and distinctive sound when stones are placed. This particular board stands out for its reddish tone, a distinctive character within kaya.

About the Flat Grain (Back Face)

This board is cut using the back-face flat-grain method, taken from a section closer to the outer part of the log rather than the center. Unlike straight grain, which produces parallel lines, flat grain forms broader, arching patterns. This gives the surface a relaxed, expansive character across the whole board.

Thickness and Feel

The board is 3.75-sun thick (approximately 11.4 cm). For a floor-standing board, this falls into the thicker category, offering a solid weight and sense of stability. The give underfoot when a stone is placed, and the resulting sound, carry the fullness that comes with greater thickness.

About the Legs

The legs are shaped after the fruit of the gardenia and carved by hand, one at a time. Few craftsmen in Japan still carve these legs by hand. The form carries a traditional meaning: that no one but the players themselves should have a voice in the outcome of the game.

Aging Over Time

There are no knots on the playing surface, and the grain runs cleanly across it. Kaya deepens gradually with use, moving toward a warm amber tone. The reddish color seen now will slowly shift into a deeper, more settled hue over the years.

About the Included Items

This board comes with a protective cloth cover and a paulownia storage box. It is ready for everyday storage as well as for gift-giving, without any further preparation needed.

Choosing This Board

A broad, flat-grain character on the back face, a clean surface with no knots, and a distinctive reddish tone — together these give this floor board a memorable presence. For those looking for a board on the thicker side, the conditions here are worth considering.

Each board is one of a kind.
Please contact us before placing an order to confirm availability.
For orders shipped outside Japan, customs duties or local taxes may be charged upon delivery depending on the destination country.