This antique go set came to BadukClub from a private home in Kyoto, Japan.
The go bowls are size XL Keyaki (zelkova) with a clean finish. This is the most standard wood for good go bowls, as it is midweight and sturdy. They come with matching lids and they fit the stones comfortably. The bowls themselves feature very consistent grain, like the lines on a clamshell stone.
The go stones are size 28 slate and shell (about 7.5mm thick). There is nearly a full set of stones, with 180 black and 182 white.
The white stones are Japanese clamshell (Suwabute), flower grade. Each stone has dense lines on top and unique orange colorations on the bottom. Some 'purple heart' is visible - these violet lines are very rare. The clamshell is dirty, but this grime can be cleaned up easily with a simple scrubbing and they can be further brightened with a soak in oxygenated water. A few stones are chipped, but you can contact us to purchase replacements.
The black stones are slate. They are slightly thicker than the white, which is intentional to account for black's slimming effect.
A storage box for the bowls is included. This is Paulownia wood, made from the Princess Tree. It is lightweight and has great protective qualities. It closes with a decorative ribbon. This box is made without nails, and it has a patina from age - it will likely need to be reglued in a few spots. The underside of the lid features calligraphy, this is likely the date that the set was originally presented as a gift.
Shipping Details:
FedEx International Priority shipping from Japan (to nearly anywhere) is already included. This service reduces the actual transit time to only 5 business days, and also allows more room for padding in order to avoid shipping damage. Please allow a week for Customs preparations, then we will email you tracking notifications.
