6.2-sun Go Floor Board – Aya National Forest Kaya, Single-piece, Straight-grain cut

About the Wood

This board is made from a single plank of kaya harvested from Aya National Forest in Miyazaki Prefecture. The mountains of Aya sit along the central ridge of Kyushu — steep terrain, rocky soil, and wide seasonal temperature shifts that slow the tree’s growth and concentrate resin throughout the wood. That resin gives the wood its redness, and in this board, the redness is particularly strong. Master craftsman Kumasu Ken’ichi has noted of this board that it will only grow more beautiful with the years.

About the Straight Grain

This board is cut in masame — straight grain — where the log is cut toward the center, producing lines running the full length of the board. Here, those lines are bold rather than fine. The same cutting method, and yet the wood’s individual character produces something entirely different from a board with quiet, even grain. This is a board with a presence — the tree itself is visible in it.

Thickness and Sound

The board is 6.2-sun thick (approximately 18.8 cm). It has the depth and weight that a floor-standing Go board calls for. When a stone is placed, the sound carries through the full body of the wood. The feel of kaya under a stone, and the resonance that follows at this thickness, is something that comes through most clearly when you are seated at the board.

About the Legs

The legs are hand-carved by Kumasu craftsmen in the shape of the gardenia fruit — a traditional form with a quiet meaning behind it. The gardenia is known in Japanese as kuchinashi, written with characters meaning “no mouth.” The shape carries the idea that others should not speak into a player’s game. Few craftsmen in Japan still carve these legs by hand.

Aging Over Time

Kaya deepens gradually with use, moving toward a warm amber tone. This board begins from a strong red — a different starting point from most. Over time, that redness will settle and deepen, and the range of the transformation will be wider than with a paler board. It is a board that rewards long ownership.

Choosing This Board

Single plank, straight grain, Aya National Forest kaya — 6.2-sun, no knots, bold grain, deep red tone. This is not a board for those seeking quiet evenness. It is for those who want the wood’s own character to be present — and who are willing to watch it change over a long time. If you are choosing a board to grow old with, this one has a great deal to offer.

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.