5.8-sun Go Floor Board – Kyushu Kaya, Single-piece, Straight-grain cut

About the Wood

This board is made from a single plank of kaya grown in Kyushu. Kaya has been used for Go boards for centuries, valued for its moderate elasticity and the distinctive sound it produces when stones are placed. At 5.8 sun thick, this board returns a deep, grounded tone with each stone.

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. Producing a single plank at this thickness requires a tree of considerable age and girth.

About the Straight Grain

This board is cut in masame — the straight-grain method, where the log is cut toward the center to produce parallel lines running the full length of the board. Straight-grain boards are known for their clean, formal appearance and dimensional stability over time.

Color and Aging

The board has a warm reddish tone throughout. With use, the color will deepen gradually toward the amber characteristic of aged kaya. There is a blue stain on the side of the board. This is a natural mark caused by moisture that entered the wood during its growth. It is visible now, but as the whole board darkens with age, the contrast will quietly fade into the surrounding surface.

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

No knots, straight grain, and a warm red tone. For those who can accept the blue stain on the side, this board offers substantial quality at its thickness and origin. The stain is not a flaw — it is a trace of time the tree carried with it.

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.