6.1-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. Kaya has long been used for shogi and Go boards, valued for its elasticity and the clear tone it produces when pieces are placed. The wood grew slowly in the Kyushu mountains, resulting in even density throughout — and a grain that runs without interruption across the full surface.

About the Construction

This is a single-plank board, cut from one log. The surface ages as a whole — no seams, no separate pieces, just one continuous face deepening in color over time. Even grain produces even aging.

About the Straight Grain

This board is cut in masame, or straight grain — a method where the log is cut toward its center, producing parallel lines running the length of the board. The grain here is particularly uniform: the same measured spacing from one end of the board to the other. It is not a dramatic surface — it is a composed one.

Thickness and Feel

The board measures 6.1-sun (approximately 18.5 cm). It is a substantial floor board — solid underfoot, stable in presence. There is nothing about this board that demands attention. Instead, it allows the game to take the center, offering a playing surface that settles quietly into the background of a match.

Aging Over Time

The board currently shows the bright yellow tone typical of kaya. With use, that tone will deepen slowly toward amber. No knots, no interruptions in the grain — just a surface that will look calmer and richer with every passing year.

Choosing This Board

The craftsman’s description is plain: even grain, a clean surface, a quiet board. That plainness is the point. For those who prefer harmony over drama, and stillness over statement, this board is well-suited. Single-plank, straight grain, no knots — within this price range, that combination is not easily found.

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.