1.95-sun Shogi Table Board – Aya National Forest Kaya, 3-piece laminated, Straight-grain cut ( Item No. ST41 )

About the Wood

This board is made from kaya grown in the Aya National Forest, near Ayacho in Miyazaki. Wood from this forest is rare, and it has long been valued as a material for shogi and Go boards. The tone is a deep reddish color, and the grain is fine.

About the Construction

This is a joined board, made from three pieces of wood. Compared to a single-plank board, this construction allows fewer constraints in selecting the wood, making it possible to combine pieces with beautiful straight grain.

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. Straight-grain boards are known for their clean, formal appearance and dimensional stability over time.

About the Inscription on the Back

The back of this board bears the characters “盤心境” (BanShinkyō, meaning roughly “a state of mind reached at the board”). These words were given by the late Yasuharu Oyama, the 15th lifetime Meijin, one of the most celebrated players in the history of shogi. This inscription has been left as it is, as part of the board’s history.

Choosing This Board

A deep reddish tone and fine, orderly straight grain, with no knots on the surface. This board also carries an inscription connected to the late Yasuharu Oyama, 15th lifetime Meijin. It is worth considering with that history in mind.

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.