5.2-sun Go Floor Board – Kyushu Kaya, Single-piece, Flat-grain cut (back face)

About the Wood

This board is made from a single plank of kaya grown in Kyushu. Kaya has long been the preferred wood for Go boards, prized for its natural resin content, distinct fragrance, and moderate elasticity. Kyushu kaya grows slowly in mountainous terrain under demanding conditions, which produces tightly packed grain and well-saturated wood.

About the Construction

This is a single-plank board, cut from one log. Unlike laminated boards, the full character of the wood is expressed across the entire surface. L3 is a clean, knot-free plank.

About the Flat Grain (Wood Back)

This board is cut in itame-kijura, or flat grain from the back face — where the outer portion of the log faces upward. Compared to straight-grain boards, the grain has more movement and variation. The back face of kaya is resin-rich and develops a strong luster with use.

Thickness and Feel

The board is 5-sun 2-bu thick (approximately 15.8 cm). At this thickness, the board carries real weight and presence. The sound of a stone placed on the surface settles fully into the board — contained, resonant, and clear. This is a thickness where the board begins to speak for itself.

Aging and Natural Characteristics

The wood has a deep red tone, a sign of high resin content in the material. Kaya with this warmth gradually shifts toward amber with use, deepening rather than fading. The grain is consistently fine across the surface, giving the playing area a calm, even quality.

Choosing This Board

No knots. Fine, even grain. A warm red tone that will deepen over years of use. For those considering a single-plank floor board in this price range, this is a board worth sitting with before deciding.

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.