Vintage Japanese Go Board, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-955

Japanese Go-ban Go Board | Vintage Living Room Accent & Statement Display Piece, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-955

A substantial floor-standing go-ban in warm kaya wood, complete with its original wooden storage box and hand-carved lotus-bud feet -- a rare find for serious collectors and Japanophiles alike.

A go-ban is a traditional Japanese go board used to play igo, one of the world's oldest and most sophisticated strategy games. The finest go-ban were historically cut from kaya wood -- prized for its warm golden tone, fine and even grain, and the pleasant resonance it produces when a stone is placed upon its surface. This handcrafted Japanese go-ban exemplifies that tradition: milled from a thick single slab of kaya wood with tightly rippled growth rings visible along every side, it carries the quiet authority of a serious playing board. The 19x19 grid is cleanly inscribed across the playing surface, with nine hoshi (star point) markers precisely placed. The board rests on four carved lotus-bud feet -- a classic form in Japanese go-ban craftsmanship -- which elevate it to the ideal height for floor-level play in the traditional seiza seated posture. The underside reveals the characteristic pyramidal relief cut, known as the "navel," which is hollowed to help the board resonate and to relieve internal wood tension. Included is the original open-top wooden storage box, constructed from a contrasting darker wood, used to house go stones during and between games.

Beyond the game room, this vintage Japanese go board makes a striking living room accent or home office statement piece. Its natural kaya wood patina and sculptural lotus-bud feet give it the presence of a fine wabi-sabi object -- equally at home as a low display platform in a Japandi-style interior, a side table surface for a reading nook, or a bold decorative accent on a study or meditation room floor. It would make a truly unique gift for collectors, go enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese antiques with genuine history and soul.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Kaya wood (go-ban body); carved hardwood lotus-bud feet; contrasting wood storage box
• Use: Floor-standing go board (go-ban) for playing igo; includes original stone storage box
• Modern Use: Living room decorative accent or display platform; low side table in a Japandi or wabi-sabi styled interior; unique gift for collectors or go enthusiasts
• Features: Thick single-slab kaya wood body with tightly rippled grain; cleanly inscribed 19x19 grid with hoshi star points; traditional pyramidal navel relief cut on underside; four hand-carved lotus-bud feet; original open-top wooden storage box included
• Dimensions: 16 1/2"W x 17 3/4"D x 11 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A museum-worthy piece of vintage Japanese game culture -- this handcrafted kaya wood go-ban brings centuries of strategic tradition and timeless natural beauty into any modern home.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage and antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.