Picture Question / Go playing room

[Funicular]

Well, this is kinda awkward to ask, but i couldn't find it anywhere, so here goes:

I'd like to know the names of the stuff posted in this picture (sorry its a flickr link but couldnt find it elsewhere, didnt know how to look for it either :$)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/malweth/108936920

Most importantly, what's the japanese name of that thing placed at the left, what's it for, and any historical / tradition insights would be interesting. Same as the "chairs" used, and the pillows, i mean, anything and everything relevant to the picture.

I would really appreciate it

Thanks

[lovely]

I think ShodanImports furniture page has what you're looking for - http://shodanimports.com/index.php?main_page=furniture

[Funicular]

kind of, thanks! But i still would like to know what that thing on the left is for! looks as if it was designed to rest one's hand, but this might be really far from the truth.

Edit: Im not trying to buy anything, i just want to learn about it. In any case thanks for the website, definitely ill get in touch with them someday.

[John Fairbairn]

But i still would like to know what that thing on the left is for!

It's just an armrest (hijikake). As with the chairs, it's not specific to go.

[Chew Terr]

Hmmm, I wonder if they move the armrest for southpaws.

[malweth]

Nice picture, though!!!!

[BaghwanB]

Hmmm, I wonder if they move the armrest for southpaws.

I'd imagine lefties suffer since that's not the "right" way to sit and play.

Bruce "WestPaw" Young

[xed_over]

Nice picture, though!!!!

I wonder if anyone noticed that its yours?

[Tami]

It's a very nice picture. I liked it so much that I downloaded it and made it my desktop!

As for left-handers. This ain't the 1910s. Japanese southpaws aren't forced into northpawish conformity anymore. They just turn things around to suit. The armrest is symmetrical, so you can easily use it to support your right arm.

As it happens, Iyama Yuta is a leftie, but he keeps the armrest on the left. But, somehow, I don't think anybody would create a fuss if he chose to lean on his right arm.

[malweth]

Thanks! I only wish I had my good camera back when I was travelling to Taiwan often. The P+S I had wasn't too bad for its time (2002, perhaps), but I really wish I had my DSLR.

This stop in Tokyo was actually a lay-over from Taiwan -- I figured it was my last (and possibly only) chance to see any of Japan.