2.25-sun Shogi Table Board – Kyushu Kaya, Single-piece, Straight-grain cut

About the Wood

This board is made from a single plank of kaya grown in Kyushu. The straight grain runs evenly, the tone is a quiet yellow, and the board comes together in a clean, composed way. There are leaf knots on the playing surface. Leaf knots are natural marks left by branch bases as the tree grows — each one a trace of the years the wood spent becoming what it is. They are visible now, but kaya gradually deepens to a warm amber tone with use, and as the whole surface changes, the contrast quietly fades. Master craftsman Ken’ichi Kumasu describes this board as a particularly fine piece.

About the Construction

This is a single-plank board, cut directly from one log. The natural character of the wood appears as it is across the entire playing surface.

About the Straight Grain

This board is cut in masame, or straight grain — the log is cut toward its center, producing parallel lines running the length of the board. Straight-grain boards are known for their composed appearance and dimensional stability over time.

Thickness and Feel

The board is 2.25-sun thick (approximately 6.8 cm). There is a satisfying resonance and solidity when pieces are placed — a feel that belongs to a board with real substance behind it.

Choosing This Board

Straight grain, a calm yellow tone, and a generous thickness — this board is well-balanced for a single-plank kaya at its price. For those who can accept the leaf knots on the playing surface, it is a board that can stay by your side for a long time.

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.