4.5-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 used for Go boards, valued for its moderate elasticity and characteristic fragrance. Cut from a single log, the natural character of the wood appears as it is across the entire surface.

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 pleasing luster with use.

Thickness and Feel

The board is 4.5-sun thick (approximately 13.6 cm). This is a solid thickness for a floor board — enough for the sound of a placed stone to settle fully into the wood. The board carries good weight and stability.

Aging and Natural Characteristics

There are leaf knots on the playing surface. Leaf knots are natural marks left by branch bases as the tree grows. They are visible now, but kaya gradually shifts to a warm amber tone with use — and as the whole surface deepens in color, the contrast with the surrounding wood quietly fades. The yellow tone of this board will mellow into a richer amber over the years.

Choosing This Board

A single-plank floor board at an accessible entry point. For those who can accept the leaf knots on the playing surface, this is a board that will change and settle over time — in the way that natural wood does.

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.