7.2-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 Kyushu. The color is a calm yellow tone, and the grain runs evenly across the playing surface from one end to the other. It is a straightforward, honest piece of wood. 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 without irregularity across the full surface.

Thickness and Feel

The board is 7.2-sun thick (approximately 21.8 cm). At this thickness, the sound of placing pieces carries depth and weight. The board has a presence when set in a room that only this kind of thickness can give.

Aging and Natural Characteristics

There are no knots on this board. There is a faint stain on one side face. It is visible now, but kaya gradually deepens to a warm amber tone with use — and as the whole surface changes over the years, the contrast with the surrounding wood quietly fades. It is a natural material, after all. Something is always there.

Choosing This Board

Even grain of standard width, and no knots on the playing surface. The faint stain on the side face is the one characteristic to be aware of. For those who can accept it, this 7.2-sun floor board is a considered option across its price range.

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.