This beautiful Kaya goban came to Baduk Club from a pawn shop in Osaka, Japan. It is in very good condition with clean edges and corners. White wax residue on the underside will clean up easily with a cotton cloth or a reapplication of beeswax.
The board is 15cm thick and stands 27cm tall with legs on. It weighs 16kg. It has a warm yellow-orange color and a sweet scent - both of these indicators are consistent with Kaya wood of southern Japan. 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 are also be Kaya, with clean pointed shoulders. There may be information written between the legs and board if you choose to remove them to check. A cloth cover and protective paulownia lid are included - please note that Paulownia 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 on the underside required a small repair, and this can be seen in the lower left of that photo (an effort was clearly made to match the grain pattern and direction). Kaya boards are cured for 10 before they are made, and one of the benefits of a vintage board like this is that it has had additional decades to reach a stable shape.
Packaged up with the legs and lid, it will be over 20kg. 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. 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.
