5.6-sun Go Floor Board – Aya National Forest Kaya, Single-piece, Flat-grain cut (back face)

About the Wood

This board is made from a single plank of kaya harvested from the Aya National Forest in Miyazaki Prefecture. The trees growing in this region develop slowly in steep, rocky terrain, enduring wide seasonal temperature swings. This slow growth produces tightly packed growth rings, a deep red tone, and a fragrance that sets this wood apart from kaya grown elsewhere.

About the Construction

This is a single-plank board, cut directly from one log without lamination. The natural character of the wood appears as it is across the entire surface.

About the Wood Grain

This board is cut in itame — flat grain — using the outer face of the log, known as the back face. Flat-grain boards show more movement in the grain and express the natural character of the wood more freely than straight-grain boards. The back face has growth rings facing outward, and the surface gradually tightens with use over time.

Color and Aging

The board has a strong red tone throughout — characteristic of Aya National Forest kaya, where the wood is rich in natural resin. With use, the color will deepen toward the warm amber that aged kaya is known for. There are stains on the side and on the playing surface. These are natural marks left by moisture in the wood. They are visible now, but the overall quality of this board holds up well alongside them. As the whole surface darkens and changes with age, they will become less distinct.

About the Legs

The legs are carved by hand in the shape of a gardenia fruit. The gardenia in Japanese is kuchinashi — meaning “no mouth.” The shape carries a quiet message: that when two players face each other across the board, no one else should speak. Few craftsmen in Japan still carve these legs by hand.

Choosing This Board

Aya National Forest kaya, single plank, 5.6 sun thick. No knots, and a strong red tone throughout. For those who can accept the staining on the side and playing surface, this board offers the character of its origin and thickness at a price worth considering.

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.