Favorite gosu?

[Dokuganryu]

Hi everyone! Once upon a time I stumbled upon a set of gosu in a Polish go shop, and these are called "favorite Go Seigen gosu". Here is a link http://ponnuki.nazwa.pl/e-go/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5_7_11&products_id=188

Do we have any information about other pro players having their favorite gosu/goban/stones/any piece of equipment?

I guess this is a question to people more familiar with Japanese/Chinese language, because I doubt any of such information would be spread in English.

Still would be nice to know if Kato Masao or Nie Weiping had/have some favorite stuff

[tchan001]

It's not a pair of gosu which Go Seigen favors. It's a pair of gosu made in a style called "Go Seigen" style as coined by Janice Kim.
see >>> http://lifein19x19.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 909#p58909

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I wouldn't know if these were favorites but they must have been at least well liked.
http://tchan001.wordpress.com/2011/11/0 ... go-stones/

[Dokuganryu]

I see, thanks Tchan! I guess that is all that can be said on this topic:P

[gowan]

I see, thanks Tchan! I guess that is all that can be said on this topic:P

As for go equipment of pros, in the Shusaku museum in Innoshima, Japan, there are board, bowls, and stones that were supposedly favorites of Shusaku. I would venture to say that most Japanese pros' personally favor bowls made from shimaguwa (island mulberry wood). There are pictures of some nice ones by a famous maker on the Kiseido web site: http://www.kiseido.com/goki/shimaguwa.htm

[go west young man]

I am happily persuaded by whatever the well regarded merchants in Japan will agree to sell me. Thus far, I have not been disappointed, as they accommodate my stones in a utilitarian, yet fashionable manner.

Island mulberry bowls from KGT -

[EdLee]

Island mulberry bowls from KGT -

Pretty -- do they work well with Size 38 stones?

[mhlepore]

...I would venture to say that most Japanese pros' personally favor bowls made from shimaguwa (island mulberry wood)...

While it is true that you wouldn't wear old sneakers with a suit, you don't need $500 Italian loafers to look nice and feel comfortable. It is largely personal preference.

I think pros probably place less value on the aesthetic aspect of equipment than us amateurs, and when it comes to bowls, there are lots of bowls that are nice and mesh well with high quality stones and board that don't cost as much as mulberry. I would in fact venture to guess that pros' favorite bowls are their favorite because they were a gift or have some other sentimental value.

[go west young man]

Island mulberry bowls from KGT -

Pretty -- do they work well with Size 38 stones?

No, these will only hold stones up to size 35, but the stones are thick enough for me. I like the plain aesthetic and clean lines of the grain in these bowls.

[EdLee]

I like the plain aesthetic and clean lines of the grain in these bowls.

Yes, very pretty. Do you happen to know whether they use the same wood for "GoSeigen-style" bowls?

[go west young man]

I'm sorry, I don't know what "GoSeigen style bowls" means. Maybe it is a shape of wood turning? I believe that the wood was harvested from the "Izu Seven," probably Mikurajima or Miyakejima, and that the timber is a specific species of mulberry found on those particular volcanic islands off the coast of Tokyo.

[EdLee]

I'm sorry, I don't know what "GoSeigen style bowls" means. Maybe it is a shape of wood turning?

The two styles of Go bowls, coined by Janice Kim I believe, "GoSeigen-style" and "Kitani-style" --
your two KGT Island mulberry bowls in your photo (in fact, almost all the KGT bowls I've seen)
are the "Kitani-style". "GoSeigen-style" has a bigger diameter (much wider opening), and a bit shorter.
I prefer the "GoSeigen-style" because of its bigger feeling.

[go west young man]

I've seen a few bowls from KGT that are roughly cylindrical, or with slightly concave sides. I would guess that Mr. Kuroki could supply all kinds of custom appointments...at a price.

[EdLee]

I've seen a few bowls from KGT that are roughly cylindrical, or with slightly concave sides.

Thanks; there's a little description near the bottom of this page: http://www.ymimports.com/t-aboutgo.aspx