This enormous Kaya goban came to Baduk Club from an antique shop in Osaka, Japan. It is in very good condition with clean edges and corners. White wax residue on the board will clean up easily with a cotton cloth or a reapplication of beeswax.
The board is 19cm thick and stands 31cm tall with legs on. It weighs a whopping 22.5kg. It has a warm yellow-orange color and a sweet scent - both of these indicators are consistent with Kaya wood of southern. Kaya's softness provides a gentle sound when playing stones, in contrast to the sharp sound that comes from hard materials like pine or bamboo.
The playing surface is a traditional lacquer grid. The legs may also be Kaya, or be Katsura given their warm reddish tone. The legs are notable because they have a double shoulder - this is a very good sign of the quality of the board. There may be information written between the legs and board if you choose to remove them to check. A protective paulownia lid is included, it is a lightweight wood and may need to be reglued after shipping.
A plain-sawn board like this produces beautiful end-grain where both players will sit, showing off the growth rings of the tree. A small defect near the center of the tree required a small repair, and this can be seen on the underside. Another small repair exists near the lower edge of the face - detailed photos are provided and they show that an effort was made to match the grain pattern and direction. Kaya boards are cured for 10 before they are made. One of the benefits of a vintage board like this is that it has had decades to reach a stable shape.
Kaya wood is dense, so it is very heavy. Packaged up with the legs and lid, it will be over 27kg. The shipping cost is factored into the price and is already included.
Please understand that this is a Vintage item.
Shipping Details:
Airmail shipping from Japan is already included in the purchase price. You will be responsible for any Tariffs or VAT applied by your country. Please allow a week for packing and Customs preparations, and another week for transit.
