7.5-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 generations, valued for its moderate elasticity and distinctive tone when pieces are placed. Grown slowly in the mountain forests of Kyushu, the wood is dense and carries a reassuring weight when touched.

About the Construction

This is a single-plank board, cut from one log. The wood breathes, ages, and deepens in color as a continuous whole. This unbroken quality — something a laminated board cannot offer — runs through every part of the surface.

About the Straight Grain

This board is cut in masame, or straight grain — a method where the log is cut toward its center, producing parallel lines running the length of the board. The result is a calm, formal appearance and dimensional stability that holds well over decades of use.

Thickness and Feel

The board measures 7.5-sun in thickness (approximately 22.7 cm). Among floor-standing shogi boards, this is a presence that makes itself known the moment you stand before it. The depth of the wood carries through in the sound when pieces are placed — something that photographs cannot fully convey.

The Surface and the End Grain

The playing surface is even and composed. The end grain on the sides shows a more expressive, slightly rougher face — a sign of vigorous growth. The contrast between the calm surface and the assertive sides gives this board its individual character. With time, the whole board will settle into a warm amber tone.

Choosing This Board

A composed playing surface, single-plank straight grain, and no knots — this board covers the fundamentals with quiet assurance. For those who can appreciate the character of the end grain rather than seeing it as a flaw, this is a floor board worth considering across its price range.

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.