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

About the Wood

Hyuga Kaya refers specifically to kaya grown in the harsh natural environment of southern Kyushu. Because the trees grow slowly over centuries among rocky terrain, the grain is exceptionally fine, with a distinctive luster and a clean, faint fragrance. The surface has a quality that feels immediately settled against the hand. With use, the color deepens gradually toward amber. Raw material is now extremely difficult to source.

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

Hyuga Kaya Go bowls are available in limited numbers. This piece is the Honinbo shape with a 4.4-sun opening — slightly larger than standard — and accommodates Go stones up to size 40. 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.