2.15-sun Go Table Board – Kyushu Kaya, 5-piece laminated, Straight-grain cut – Minor Defects ( Item No. GTW2 )

About Boards with Minor Defects

For our higher-priced boards, we cut and re-cut the log many times so that knots do not appear on the playing surface. As a result, the last part of each log yields some boards with more knots or coarser grain. We also include boards with noticeable blue stain, and laminated boards whose grain or knots do not meet our usual standard. All of these boards are made from the same kaya, in the same way as our other boards. The reason for the lower price of each board is described below. For more details, please see “Boards with Minor Defects.”

Why This Board Is Offered with Minor Defects

There is a blue stain on the end grain of the board. The end grain (koguchi) is the side face where the ends of the wood grain appear. A blue stain is a bluish discoloration that forms when moisture enters the wood. It can appear in any part of a log. The second and following product photos show the main spots, including the blue stain on the end grain.

Effect on Use

The blue stain is a change in color only. It does not affect the strength of the board, the feel of play, or the grid lines.

About the Wood

This board is made from kaya grown in Kyushu, in southern Japan. Kaya has long been used for Go and shogi boards. It is valued for its moderate elasticity and the soft sound it makes when a stone is placed.

About the Construction

This is a laminated board made from five planks joined together. A laminated board (hagi-ban) is made by joining several planks into a single playing surface. Even on boards with many planks, we align the joints with the grid lines of the board.

Thickness and Feel

The board is 2.15-sun thick (approximately 6.5 cm). This is a standard thickness for a table board. Its size and weight make it easy to use on a desk or table.

Aging

Over the years, kaya gradually turns a warm amber color. In the craftsman’s assessment, the blue stain on the end grain will also become less visible with time.

About the Price

A comparable board in our shop, a 2.1-sun Kyushu kaya table board, also 5-piece laminated with straight grain (Item No. GT6), is offered at ¥45,000. Because of the blue stain on the end grain, this board is offered at ¥30,000.

Choosing This Board

The board has a calm yellow tone, few knots, and straight grain. If the blue stain does not concern you after checking it in the photos, this board is well suited to everyday games and to replaying game records.

Returns and Exchanges

The price of this board reflects the blue stain on the end grain described above, as well as other differences in appearance that come from the nature of the wood, such as stains, knots, resin pockets, and uneven color. We may not be able to show every such spot in the description or photos. For this reason, we are unable to accept returns or exchanges based on these points. If the board is damaged during shipping, or has a defect that affects its use, such as a crack or a chip, please contact us within two weeks of delivery. The timing of a refund depends on the payment method.

Item	Details
Item No	GTW2
Type	Go Table Board
Wood	Kaya
Origin	Kyushu Kaya
Construction	5-Piece Laminated
Grain	Straight Grain (Masame)
Thickness	2.15-sun
Color Tone	Yellow
Grain Pattern	Medium
Knots	Few

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.