1.75-sun Go Table Board – Kumamoto Kaya, 4-piece laminated, Straight-grain cut ( Item No. 71KGT13 )

About the Wood

This board is made from kaya grown in Kumamoto Prefecture, in central Kyushu. Kaya (Japanese torreya) has long been used for Go and shogi boards. The wood has a gentle resilience, and stones make a soft, clear sound when placed on it. Our master craftsman describes this board as “a beautiful board with dense, fine grain.”

About the Construction

This is a four-piece laminated board. Four planks are joined to form one playing surface. The planks are selected so that their grain and color match. Large kaya logs are rare, so joining planks is a traditional way to make full use of the wood.

About the Straight Grain

The board is cut in masame, or straight grain. In this cut, the log is sawn toward its center, so the grain lines run straight and parallel across the surface. On this board, the lines are closely spaced and evenly aligned, giving the surface a quiet appearance.

Thickness and Feel

The board is 1.75 sun thick (about 5.3 cm). Sun is a traditional Japanese unit of length; one sun is about 3.03 cm. This thickness makes the board easy to handle, set out, and put away. It suits everyday games and replaying professional game records.

Aging and Natural Characteristics

There are few knots on the surface, and the board has a reddish tone. Kaya gradually deepens to a warm amber color with use. As a natural material, its appearance will continue to change slowly over the years.

About the Presentation Box

This board was made to mark the 71st anniversary of Kumasu Go Board Studio. It comes with its own kenjōbako (献上箱), a traditional wooden presentation box used to store and present fine boards. Whether given as a gift or kept for yourself to mark a milestone, the board can be received in its box just as it is.

Choosing This Board

A warm reddish tone, dense grain, and a four-piece surface 1.75 sun thick. Its manageable thickness makes it easy to keep at hand for everyday play. As one of the studio’s 71st anniversary boards, it is also worth considering as a gift. A Kumamoto kaya board with a three-piece surface, 2.15 sun thick, is also available (Item No. 71KGT12).

Included Items

In addition to the presentation box, this board comes with one copy of “Kaya ni Miserarete” (榧に魅せられて, “Captivated by Kaya”), a book by Ken’ichi Kumasu. The book records the work of three generations of craftsmen and their thoughts on kaya. Please note that the book is written in Japanese.

Item	Details
Item No	71KGT13
Type	Go Table Board
Wood	Kaya
Origin	Kumamoto Kaya
Construction	4-Piece Laminated
Grain	Straight Grain (Masame)
Thickness	1.75-sun
Color Tone	Red
Grain Pattern	Fine
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.