5.9-sun Shogi 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 shogi and Go boards for centuries, valued for its moderate elasticity and distinctive sound when pieces are placed. This board has a strong reddish tone and a bold grain — a directness that comes through in the wood itself.

About the Construction

The board is cut from a single log, with no lamination. The natural character of the wood appears as it is across the surface. The board has few knots, and the playing face is largely clean and settled.

About the Straight Grain

This board is cut in masame, or straight-grain — a method where the log is cut toward the center, producing parallel lines running along the length of the board. The grain on this board is on the bolder end of straight-grain — the lines carry a weight and presence that reflects the time the tree took to grow.

Thickness and Feel

The board is 5.9-sun thick (approximately 17.9 cm). At this thickness, each piece placed on the surface is received fully by the board. The sound is clear and grounded. For a straight-grain, single-plank board of this thickness, the price range is worth noting.

Aging and Natural Characteristics

There are cracks at both wood ends, formed naturally during the drying process. According to our craftsman, these will not widen further. The cracks do not affect the playing surface, and the board can be used without concern.

Choosing This Board

Kyushu Kaya, straight-grain, single plank, 5.9-sun. Bold grain and a warm reddish tone — honest in its character. For those who can accept the cracks at both wood ends, this is a board that offers real value at this thickness and price point.

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.