7-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 Kumamoto, Kyushu. Among the kaya timber sourced from that region, this piece stands out for its quiet, uncomplicated character. The craftsman’s words for this board were brief: “just a good board.” In their restraint, those words say a great deal. Kaya has been used for shogi and Go boards for centuries, valued for its moderate elasticity, distinctive sound when pieces are placed, and the way it deepens slowly to a warm amber tone with use.

About the Construction

This is a single-plank board, cut directly from one log. Unlike laminated boards, the natural character of the wood appears across the entire surface without interruption.

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. Straight-grain boards are known for their clean, formal appearance and dimensional stability over time. On this board, the grain is fine and even throughout, expressing the qualities of masame cut in a straightforward way.

Thickness and Feel

The board is 7-sun thick (approximately 21.2 cm). At this thickness, the sound and sensation of placing pieces take on a different quality — deeper in resonance, fuller in presence. The board itself shapes the atmosphere of the room it is placed in.

Aging and Natural Characteristics

There are no knots on this board. The playing surface and sides present no particular irregularities. With continued use, the amber toning characteristic of kaya will spread evenly across the whole surface.

Choosing This Board

Fine, even grain. A calm yellow tone. No knots, and no notable imperfections. This is a board that comes together in an honest, unhurried way — one that the craftsman found difficult to say much about, because there was little that needed to be said.

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.