1.6-sun Shogi Table Board – Kyushu Kaya, Single-piece, Straight-grain cut ( Item No. ST38 )

About the Wood

This board is made from kaya grown in Kumamoto Prefecture, in Kyushu. Kaya has been used for shogi and Go boards for centuries. The grain is fine, and the board has a reddish tone.

About the Construction

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

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.

Aging and Natural Characteristics

There are three very small knots on the playing surface. There are also faint marks running from one end of the board toward the back, left by resin pockets. These form naturally when a young tree’s branches rub against another tree as it grows. They have no effect on how the board functions. It is a natural material, after all. Something is always there.

Choosing This Board

Fine, orderly straight grain and a warm reddish tone. For those who can accept the small knots and the resin-pocket marks, this board is worth considering within 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.