7.5-sun Shogi Floor 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. It carries the calm yellow tone characteristic of Kyushu kaya, and presents itself without pretense. The craftsman’s assessment was straightforward: “There would be no issue using this at a title match.” That is not a sales claim — it is a quiet confidence in the material. Kaya has been used for shogi and Go boards for centuries, valued for its moderate elasticity, distinctive sound when pieces are placed, and the way it deepens slowly to a warm amber tone with use.

About the Construction

This is a single-plank board, cut directly from one log. Unlike laminated boards, the natural character of the wood appears across the entire surface without interruption.

About the Straight Grain

This board is cut in masame, or straight grain — a method where the log is cut toward the center, producing parallel lines running along the length of the board. The grain lines are of standard width and run evenly without irregularity across the full surface.

Thickness and Feel

The board is 7.5-sun thick (approximately 22.7 cm). The craftsman described it as having “dignified thickness” — and that is what it is. The sound of pieces placed on this board carries weight and depth. It is a quality that thinner boards cannot replicate.

Aging and Natural Characteristics

There are no knots on this board. The playing surface and sides present no particular irregularities. The yellow tone of the wood will deepen gradually into the warm amber characteristic of aged kaya.

Choosing This Board

Even grain of standard width, no knots, and a clean surface throughout. At 7.5-sun, this board carries the full presence expected of a shogi floor board. For those who seek genuine weight and feel in a shogi board, this is a piece worth holding.

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.