7-sun Shogi Floor Board – Shimane Kaya, Single-piece, Straight-grain cut

About the Wood

This board is made from a single plank of kaya grown deep in the mountains of Shimane Prefecture. Kaya has been used for shogi and Go boards for centuries, valued for its moderate elasticity and the distinctive sound it produces when pieces are placed. The character of Shimane’s mountain forests is present in this wood. Its reddish tone and bold grain are particular to this region — different in feel from Kyushu kaya, and worth considering on those terms.

About the Construction

This is a single-plank board, cut directly from one log. Unlike laminated boards, the natural character of the wood appears as it is across the entire surface.

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 the full length of the board. With a bold grain like this, the straight-cut lines give the surface a strong, composed presence.

Thickness and Feel

The board is 7-sun 8-bu thick (approximately 23.6 cm). At this thickness, the board carries a presence in a room — it holds the space around it. The sound when pieces are placed is supported by the board’s mass, producing a resonance that is deep and unhurried.

Aging and Natural Characteristics

There are no knots on this board. The playing surface is clear, and the grain alone defines the character of the board. The reddish tone will settle and deepen with use. The color formed over centuries in Shimane’s mountains will continue to develop over the years the board is played on.

Choosing This Board

Bold grain, a reddish tone, and a clean playing surface. This board has a character distinct from Kyushu kaya — and for those who want a board at tournament level with a different regional expression, it is one worth considering.

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.