Vintage Japanese Goban Set with Go Ke and Stones, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0161-1

Vintage Japanese Goban Set with Go Ke and Stones, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0161-1

A complete vintage igo set -- freestanding goban, turned wooden go ke bowls, and biconvex playing stones -- ready for play or display.

A goban is the traditional wooden board used to play igo, the ancient Japanese strategy game known in the West as Go. This handsome Late Showa-era example is a solid-wood floor-standing goban raised on four characteristic bulbous turned feet, a form that has remained essentially unchanged for centuries. The playing surface bears a cleanly incised 19x19 grid with star-point markers (hoshi) inked in deep black against warm honey-toned wood, developing a pleasing amber patina consistent with decades of use. The underside reveals clear straight grain and a traditional cross-brace channel, confirming solid rather than laminated construction. Completing the set are two turned wooden go ke (stone bowls) with domed lids showing beautiful concentric grain rings, filled with sets of smooth biconvex stones -- bright white and deep matte black -- that seat satisfyingly on the grid intersections. This is a genuine example of vintage Japanese craft made during the golden age of domestic igo popularity in Showa Japan.

Beyond active play, this goban set makes a striking living room accent or coffee table object for anyone drawn to the wabi-sabi aesthetic of natural wood and quiet geometry. Displayed with the bowls and stones arranged on its surface, it functions as a sculptural conversation piece -- equally at home in a Japandi style interior, a home office, or a collector's study. The compact footprint means it can sit on a low shelf, a tatami platform, or alongside other Japanese vintage furniture without overwhelming a space. It makes a unique gift for Go enthusiasts, Japanophiles, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese games with genuine history.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Solid wood goban (species uncertain, warm straight-grained hardwood); turned wood go ke bowls with domed lids; biconvex white and black playing stones (likely resin or composite)
• Use: Playing igo (Go) -- a 19x19 strategy board game with a history of over 2,500 years in East Asia
• Modern Use: Living room decorative accent or Japandi-style display object; unique gift for Go players or collectors of Japanese vintage games; home office or study conversation piece
• Features: Solid-wood freestanding goban with incised 19x19 grid and hoshi star-point markers; four traditional bulbous turned feet; two turned wooden go ke bowls with domed lids showing concentric grain detail; sets of biconvex white and black playing stones included
• Dimensions: 16 1/2"W x 17 3/4"D x 7"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully preserved piece of vintage Japanese craft -- this goban set brings the meditative elegance of igo into any modern home, as a playable game or a striking decorative accent.

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.