My new Hon Kaya Goban

[Justin2013]

I may have finally found my Go board. I recently purchased this board from Japan and received it two days ago. I was surprised at the weight of it. It weighs about 46 pounds which is due to the masame cut which is a heavier than itame cuts. It is much heavier than larger size boards that I've handled before. The board measures 4.8 Sun or almost 6 inches. It is Japanese Kaya.

The grain on this board is amazing. It is very straight and tight. The stones on the board are size 31 clam.

I took a few pictures of the board and also a couple of the corner and middle of the board to show the density and grain of the board. In the pictures the board looks uneven, it is an optical illusion or the camera lens. The flooring in my house is a little uneven which could cause the board to look sloping.

I have an older Japanese Kaya board but it no longer has the smell. I was pleasantly surprised by the smell on this board. My daughter said it smells like Big Red gum. Now she has nicknamed it Big Red and the older Kaya board Grandpa. The only problem with owning a nice board is being worried about things happening to it. Now, I always make sure my hands are clean and have to keep my children from playing on it. It does make studying problems easier to do with a nice board.













If you would like to see the higher resolution images they are here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/69691331@N02/sets/72157642167449335/


Here is a link to some pictures of other Go boards that I have right now. The older Goban is dated and signed by the artist who made it. It is from 33rd year of Meiji period, which dates to 1900. The go stones are supposed to be original with the board.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/69691331@N02/sets

[EdLee]

Hi Justin, very beautiful board. May I ask which vendor ?

Size 38 would be fantastic to go with it.

Now, I always make sure my hands are clean

Good habit, regardless of the Go equipment!

[Justin2013]

Hi Ed,

I picked this up in a auction. The board was well taken care of. It also does not have any large divots in the face of it. I like that the feet of the board match the board. It had a paulwania cover but it did not make it through shipping. I need to make a cloth cover or try to glue the Paulwania cover back together again.

I'm still interested in finding a Hyuga Kaya board but this may take a while. I can see why people like the Kaya boards so much. I can also see how a nice Shin Kaya board or another wood is just as good of a choice. It seems like it really is a personal choice as far as wood choice for Go boards. I had a Katsura board that was very nice. I feel fortunate to have been able to purchase this board.

I wash my hands often but not every time I pick up my Go stones. I found your remark humorous. If we every get to meet in person, I'll make sure and shake your hand


I agree about the stones. I'm looking right now for size 37-38 stones to try out.

[bogiesan]

It had a paulwania cover but it did not make it through shipping. I need to make a cloth cover or try to glue the Paulwania cover back together again.

Depending on how much deflection or impact trauma the soft wood suffered, this could be easy or almost impossible. You might want to spend some time looking at balsa wood model sites to see how larger pieces are glued up or search the sites for restoration and repair tips.

You will likely end up painting the paulownia since yoy may be using massive amounts of glue which, even in skilled hands, tends toward unsubtle.

Congratulations on the board. It's lovely. Giving it a name?

[Justin2013]

It had a paulwania cover but it did not make it through shipping. I need to make a cloth cover or try to glue the Paulwania cover back together again.

Depending on how much deflection or impact trauma the soft wood suffered, this could be easy or almost impossible. You might want to spend some time looking at balsa wood model sites to see how larger pieces are glued up or search the sites for restoration and repair tips.

You will likely end up painting the paulownia since yoy may be using massive amounts of glue which, even in skilled hands, tends toward unsubtle.

Congratulations on the board. It's lovely. Giving it a name?

My young daughter has named it Big Red but I may have to name it something else. I use to have names for my old cars that were not always reliable. I sometimes listen to Car Talk on NPR which can be highly entertaining. I remember one show where they discussed naming your car. Now it seems cars just are not as inspiring to have a name.

I was able to glue back the Paulownia box back together. It was in 5 pieces, top piece, and the four sides. I went to small local hardware store and they suggested Titebond II which worked really well. The glue was not quick drying but did have a tacky feel rather quickly. After seeing some of the prices for a new box cover, I was inspired to fix it. The money for a new box cover can go towards a table board. I may take some pictures sometime but the Titebond worked really well with the soft wood.

I am still looking for a table board to carry with me. I may try to find a Hyuga Kaya table board, which is why I asked the question in the other thread. This board is not real practical for carrying around.

[bogiesan]

I am still looking for a table board to carry with me. I may try to find a Hyuga Kaya table board, which is why I asked the question in the other thread. This board is not real practical for carrying around.

How about a trailer for your bicycle?

Good luck in your search. I think many of us end up with distinctly low-end boards for traveling to and from club meetings.

[foe]

While no where near as nice as your auction win, I have been using a folding 2.1 cm agathis board model B104 from kisedio. It fits in a backpack made for 17" laptop along with size 36 stones and any study material I might want. I take it mostly everywhere. I also have. Non folding 6cm agathis which goes mostly nowhere because it is impractical.

[Rowen]

That is a beautiful board! I so want a board like that...just out of my price range at the moment.
Congratulation's on obtaining it.

[Justin2013]

That is a beautiful board! I so want a board like that...just out of my price range at the moment.
Congratulation's on obtaining it.

Thank you, I feel fortunate to have found the board. The board has grown on me the more I use it. I've been looking hard for the last 3 months. There was one board that I regretted not picking up but this one ended up much better. So in the end, it worked out for the better. I was beginning to regret not purchasing the first board I liked.

[Hong Ny]

Awesome and beautiful board!!!

[sybob]

Lucky you!
Enjoy!

[goTony]

Wow what a gorgeous board. Thanks for sharing. I hope you enjoy it for years to come!

[chopper]

I may have finally found my Go board. I recently purchased this board from Japan and received it two days ago. I was surprised at the weight of it. It weighs about 46 pounds which is due to the masame cut which is a heavier than itame cuts. It is much heavier than larger size boards that I've handled before. The board measures 4.8 Sun or almost 6 inches. It is Japanese Kaya.

What did you pay for the board? And how much was the additional shipping costs to get it to wherever you are? (where is that btw?)

[Rowen]

Beautiful board! One day I shall get a floor Goban myself....one day.

[fallsview]

Wow, it's so beautiful board, it will be fun to play on that!