Vintage Japanese Shogi Ban with Koma and Koma-bako, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0162-1

Vintage Japanese Shogi Ban with Koma and Koma-bako, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0162-1

A substantial solid-wood shogi ban with turned feet, wooden koma pieces, and koma-bako storage boxes -- a complete vintage Japanese chess set ready for play or display.

A shogi ban is the traditional board used to play shogi, Japan's centuries-old strategy game often called "Japanese chess." This handsome example is milled from a single thick slab of pale, fine-grained wood -- possibly hiba or a similar softwood favored for quality boards -- with a crisp 9x9 grid of incised lines and small hoshi (star-point) dots inked onto the playing surface. The generous depth of the board gives it a commanding, sculptural presence that collectors of vintage Japanese game sets and Japanese vintage furniture immediately recognize as a mark of quality. The underside features a carved pyramid relief at the center, a traditional detail believed to improve the resonance of piece placement during play, and four corner sockets fitted with stout bulbous feet turned from a darker hardwood and finished in a rich reddish-brown lacquer.

Beyond active play, this vintage shogi set makes a striking living room accent or Japandi-style coffee table centerpiece when displayed with the koma arranged mid-game. The low-profile board rests beautifully on a tatami mat, a low platform, or a minimalist shelf, and its warm honey tones complement both mid-century modern and wabi-sabi aesthetic interiors. The two accompanying koma-bako (piece storage boxes) with scalloped openings hold the wooden koma -- pentagonal pieces bearing boldly brushed ink characters including gin-sho (silver general) and others -- and double as small display boxes in their own right. This set makes a truly unique gift for collectors, Japanophiles, or anyone who appreciates the quiet artistry of traditional Japanese craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Pale fine-grained softwood board body, possibly hiba or similar; darker hardwood turned feet with reddish-brown lacquer finish; wooden koma pieces with ink-brushed characters; wood koma-bako storage boxes
• Use: Playing shogi (Japanese chess); traditional floor-level game board used in formal and home settings
• Modern Use: Living room decorative accent or Japandi-style centerpiece; display piece for collectors of vintage Japanese game sets; unique gift for strategy game enthusiasts or Japanophiles
• Features: Thick solid-wood board with incised 9x9 grid and hoshi star-point dots; carved pyramid relief on underside; four bulbous turned feet in contrasting dark hardwood; two koma-bako piece boxes with scalloped openings; wooden shogi koma with boldly brushed ink characters; original storage box included
• Dimensions: 13"W x 14 1/2"D x 9 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully preserved piece of vintage Japanese craft -- this shogi ban set brings the timeless strategy and quiet elegance of traditional 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.