Vintage Japanese Shogi Ban Board Set with Koma Pieces, Late Showa Era (1966-1989) | SKU: 26J-0631-1

Vintage Japanese Shogi Ban Board Set with Koma Pieces, Late Showa Era (1966-1989) | SKU: 26J-0631-1

A complete vintage shogi set -- solid wood board on carved feet, full koma pieces in a lidded box with purple cloth bag, all in original outer carton.

A shogi ban is the playing board used for shogi, Japan's centuries-old strategy game often described as Japanese chess. Unlike its flat Western counterparts, a proper shogi ban is hewn from a thick, solid block of wood -- here displaying the warm honey-amber tone and subtle wavy grain consistent with kaya or a similar fine-grained hardwood prized for its resonant surface. The 9x9 grid is cleanly ruled across the playing surface, with small dot markers (hoshi) precisely placed to orient players. Four boldly carved bulbous feet in a darker reddish hardwood elevate the board to a comfortable floor-play height, a hallmark of traditional Japanese gaming culture. The accompanying koma -- the wedge-shaped playing pieces in pale light wood -- bear brushed kanji characters in confident black ink and are stored in a fitted lidded box bearing a printed label, along with a purple cloth bag for safekeeping. The complete set retains its original corrugated cardboard outer box, making this a remarkably intact example of vintage Japanese vintage game equipment from the Late Showa era.

Beyond active play, this shogi ban makes a striking statement piece in a modern interior. Placed on a low tatami platform or directly on a hardwood floor, it functions beautifully as a sculptural low table or living room accent in a Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic setting. The thick board surface is generously sized for displaying a curated arrangement of ceramics, stones, or small sculptures, while the carved feet add artisanal warmth to any minimalist decor scheme. The full koma set and its handsome storage box make this an ideal unique gift for collectors of Japanese culture, strategy game enthusiasts, or anyone drawn to the quiet sophistication of traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Whether displayed or played, it carries decades of cultural heritage into the contemporary home.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Solid hardwood board, possibly kaya or similar fine-grained species; darker carved hardwood feet; light wood koma pieces; lidded wood storage box; purple cloth bag; original cardboard outer box
• Use: Playing shogi (Japanese chess) -- a two-player strategy board game played on a 9x9 grid with wedge-shaped koma pieces
• Modern Use: Sculptural low table or floor-level display surface; living room accent in Japandi or wabi-sabi interiors; unique gift for collectors, strategy game enthusiasts, or Japanophiles
• Features: Thick solid-wood board with ruled 9x9 grid and hoshi reference points; four carved bulbous feet in contrasting dark hardwood; full set of koma pieces with brushed kanji characters; fitted lidded koma storage box with printed label; purple cloth storage bag; original outer carton included
• Dimensions: 13"W x 14 1/4"D x 10 1/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A complete and remarkably well-preserved piece of vintage Japanese vintage game culture -- as much a collector's display object as a fully playable shogi set ready for its next match.

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.