Go Bowl – Mulberry, Honinbo Shape, 4.4-sun Opening, by Nishikawa Takashi

About the Wood

Mulberry — known in Japanese as honkuwa — has long been regarded as one of the finest materials for Go bowls. The wood is exceptionally dense, with a weight and solidity that is immediately noticeable when held. With use, the surface develops a deepening luster and gradually takes on a warm amber tone. It is a material that changes over time.

About the Craftsmanship

This piece is the work of Takashi Nishikawa, a designated traditional craftsman of Miyazaki Prefecture. Nishikawa-san has worked with wood on the lathe for more than fifty years, beginning the craft at age twenty. The shaping is done in a single pass — there is no reworking once the cut is made. Thickness is checked by hand as the work progresses. The surface is finished with carnauba wax. Each step is guided by the material itself, not by a fixed formula. The completed piece carries Nishikawa-san’s craftsman seal and a certificate of authenticity: Traditional Craftsman of Miyazaki Prefecture, No. 115.

Choosing This Piece

GOKE-02 and GOKE-03 share the same specifications — mulberry, Honinbo shape, 4.4-sun opening. The difference in price reflects the fineness and appearance of the grain. Please compare the photographs of each piece to find the one that suits you. For guidance on choosing a Go bowl — shape, material, and opening size — please visit the About Go Bowls page.

Each Go bowl 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.