Vintage Japanese Shogi Ban with Koma Set, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0430-1

Vintage Japanese Shogi Ban with Koma Set, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0430-1

A thick solid-wood floor-standing shogi board with turned legs and original koma piece set -- a rare and functional collector's piece from postwar Japan.

A shogi ban is the traditional playing board used for shogi, the centuries-old Japanese strategy game often called "Japanese chess." This handcrafted example is a floor-standing type, milled from a substantial block of solid wood with warmly figured sides and a cleanly ruled 9x9 grid inlaid on the playing surface -- with the characteristic star-point markers (hoshi) clearly visible. The board rests on four deeply turned, bulbous legs finished in a rich reddish-brown lacquer, a classic detail associated with quality Japanese game boards of the Mid Showa period. The board body shows fine straight grain on its faces and a subtly mottled figure on the broad sides, consistent with a dense softwood possibly in the kaya family, though the exact species cannot be confirmed from images alone. Included is the original koma piece set housed in a fitted wooden box bearing a period label -- the wedge-shaped pieces are hand-lettered in both black and red ink, a hallmark of authentic vintage Japanese shogi koma craftsmanship.

Beyond the game room, this vintage shogi ban makes a striking statement in a modern home. Its substantial block form and warm honey-brown tones lend themselves beautifully to use as a low side table or accent pedestal in a living room or bedroom -- perfectly suited to a wabi-sabi aesthetic or Japandi style interior. Place it beside a reading chair to hold a lamp and a small stack of books, or use it as a sculptural display plinth for ikebana, ceramics, or other decorative objects. The included koma box adds an authentic cultural layer, making this a truly unique gift for collectors, shogi enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese vintage game pieces and furniture.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Solid wood body, possibly kaya or similar dense softwood; turned legs in a darker reddish-brown finish; light wood koma box with paper label; carved wood shogi pieces with hand-lettered black and red ink
• Use: Floor-standing shogi game board used for playing shogi (Japanese chess); includes original koma (playing pieces) in a fitted wooden box
• Modern Use: Low side table or accent pedestal in a Japandi or wabi-sabi interior; display plinth for ceramics or ikebana; unique gift for collectors or shogi enthusiasts
• Features: Thick solid-wood block body with ruled 9x9 shogi grid and star-point markers on playing surface; four bulbous turned legs in reddish-brown finish; warmly figured sides with visible straight grain; includes original koma piece set with hand-lettered pieces in black and red ink housed in a fitted wooden box with period label
• Dimensions: 12 3/4"W x 14 1/4"D x 11 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A boldly sculptural piece of vintage Japanese vintage game furniture -- as beautiful displayed in a modern living room as it is ready for play.

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.