Vintage Japanese Goban Go Set with GoKe Bowls and Stones, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0431-4

Vintage Japanese Goban Go Set with GoKe Bowls and Stones, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0431-4

A complete vintage igo set -- floor-standing goban, lacquered ke bowls, and biconvex go stones -- ready to play or display.

A goban is the thick, solid-wood board used to play igo (Go), one of the oldest and most revered strategy games in Japanese culture. This mid-century floor-standing goban presents a full 19x19 grid with nine clearly incised hoshi (star point) markers, hand-ruled in crisp black lines across a warm honey-toned wood surface. The substantial slab body -- consistent with quality goban construction of the early postwar Showa era -- rests on four ornately carved bulbous feet finished in a deep reddish-brown lacquer, each foot sculpted with a lobed, petal-like form that adds a sculptural elegance rarely found on utilitarian game sets. The underside reveals a traditional square relief carving at the center, a hallmark of handcrafted Japanese goban construction intended to allow the board to resonate with a satisfying click as stones are placed. Completing the set are two lidded Goke (go bowls) turned from a richly grained dark wood with a lacquered finish, and a full complement of biconvex black and white go stones -- a complete vintage Japanese game set ready for serious play or collector display.

Beyond the game room, this goban set makes a striking statement in a modern interior. The thick, sculptural board alone functions beautifully as a low living room accent table or meditation platform in a Japandi-style or wabi-sabi aesthetic space -- its warm wood tones and geometric grid surface providing instant visual interest. Styled with the bowls and stones arranged on top, it becomes a conversation piece and display object that doubles as a unique housewarming gift for collectors, Japanophiles, or design-minded homeowners who appreciate handcrafted Japanese vintage pieces. The ke bowls, with their lustrous grain and domed lids, also work as standalone decorative accents or lidded vessels on a shelf or side table.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Goban body -- light-toned hardwood (species unconfirmed; consistent with quality postwar goban production); carved feet -- separate hardwood pieces finished in reddish-brown lacquer; ke bowls -- turned wood with richly striped grain and lacquer finish; go stones -- biconvex black and white stone (material unconfirmed)
• Use: Playing igo (Go); traditional Japanese floor-standing game board set
• Modern Use: Low living room accent table or display surface; decorative centerpiece in a Japandi or wabi-sabi interior; unique housewarming gift or collector display piece
• Features: Full 19x19 playing grid with nine hoshi (star point) markers; substantial thick-slab goban body; traditional square relief carving on underside; four ornately carved bulbous feet in reddish-brown lacquer; two lidded ke bowls in richly grained turned wood; full set of biconvex black and white go stones included
• Dimensions: 16 1/2"W x 18"D x 10 1/2"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition; minor age-related marks and patina consistent with use; feet show light wear; grid and board surface intact

A rare and complete vintage Japanese igo set -- handcrafted goban, lacquered bowls, and go stones -- that brings the timeless beauty of Japanese game culture 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 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.