6.4-sun Go Floor Board – Aya National Forest Kaya, Single-piece, Straight-grain cut

About the Wood

This board is made from a single plank of kaya harvested from Aya National Forest in Miyazaki Prefecture. The mountains of Aya sit along the central ridge of Kyushu, where steep terrain, rocky soil, and sharp seasonal temperature shifts slow the tree’s growth considerably. The result is tightly packed annual rings and dense, high-quality wood. This board has a yellow tone — a different expression from the deeper reds sometimes found in wood from the same forest, and one with its own quiet brightness.

About the Straight Grain

This board is cut in masame — straight grain — where the log is cut toward the center, producing parallel lines running the full length of the board. Here, those lines are fine and even across the entire playing surface. The combination of yellow tone and fine grain gives this board a settled, unhurried appearance that holds up well over time.

Thickness and Sound

The board is 6.4-sun thick (approximately 19.4 cm). This is a fully substantial floor board. Kaya receives a placed stone with a gentle elasticity, and the sound travels through the depth of the wood. At this thickness, there is a sense that the board is responding — not just receiving.

About the Legs

The legs are hand-carved by Kumasu craftsmen in the shape of the gardenia fruit — a traditional form with a quiet meaning behind it. The gardenia is known in Japanese as kuchinashi, written with characters meaning “no mouth.” The shape carries the idea that others should not speak into a player’s game. Few craftsmen in Japan still carve these legs by hand.

About the Leaf Knots

There are a few leaf knots on the playing surface. Leaf knots are natural marks left by branch bases as the tree grows. They are visible now, but kaya gradually deepens to a warm amber tone with use — and as the whole surface changes together, the contrast with the surrounding wood quietly fades. It is a natural material. Something is always there.

Choosing This Board

Single plank, straight grain, Aya National Forest kaya — 6.4-sun, fine grain, yellow tone. Apart from the leaf knots on the playing surface, this is a straightforward, well-composed board. For those who can accept the knots, it is a serious board at a serious thickness, from one of the finest sources of kaya in Japan. If you are looking for a board that combines the qualities of this forest with a natural, unpretentious character, this one is worth your time.

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.