2-sun Shogi Table Board – Kyushu Kaya, Single-piece, Straight-grain cut

About the Wood

This board is made from a single plank of kaya grown in Kumamoto, Kyushu. Kumamoto kaya often carries a distinctive character in its grain, and this board is one example. The grain flows. Rather than running in perfectly straight lines, it moves with a gentle wave across the surface — a record of the slow, uneven growth the tree experienced over many years. It is not the kind of grain that comes from ideal conditions. It is the kind that comes from time.

About the Construction

This is a single-plank board, cut directly from one log. The natural character of the wood appears as it is across the entire surface.

About the Straight Grain

The board is cut in masame, or straight grain — taken from the center of the log. In this board, those straight-grain lines carry a gentle movement, giving the surface a character distinct from boards with perfectly uniform grain.

Thickness and Feel

The board is 2-sun thick (approximately 6.1 cm). It sits with a stable weight, and the surface responds clearly when pieces are placed.

Aging and Natural Characteristics

The warm yellow tone will deepen into amber with use. The flowing grain, vivid now, will settle into a quieter expression as the wood ages.

Choosing This Board

Flowing grain divides opinion. Those who prefer a uniform, formal surface may find it unsettling. Those who want something that carries the marks of a long life in the wood may find it irreplaceable. There are no knots, and the board comes together in an honest, straightforward way.

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.