Life In 19x19

I recently made a purchase on ebay. a 17cm thick go table with legs.

Would anyone be able to tell me the type of wood used to create this table if I were
able to provide pictures of it?

I appreciate your help.

Vanity wrote:Would anyone be able to tell me the type of wood used to create this table if I were
able to provide pictures of it?

One can always hope. Congrats with your purchase.

Here you go, I hope I can get some positive answers!

Edit: Good lord those were huge pictures. Just a moment.

Resized the pictures

Also if you need detail views, different (natural) lighting, let me know. I can grab a few shots.

I'm only guessing, but I would say katsura.

Would anyone be able to tell me the type of wood used to create this table if I were
able to provide pictures of it?

The wood looks to me like it could be katsura which is a common wood for boards (especially in Japan). This wood has a mild to dark tan color and boards are usually an itame cut (actually I've never heard of a katsura masame board before).

For the bowls I couldn't say. If they have a distinct golden sheen then they're likely Kuwa (mulberry) if not then I'd guess either keyaki (zelkova) or an aged sakura (cherry).

Here's a few links with some pictures of katsura boards for comparison.
http://www.kikuimports.com/goban-board-r5s879/
http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~goban/g1go5 ... 4sun5.html
http://jzool.com/en/p/18214-Size-60-Kat ... -Board/353

Two more in case it helps.

It was listed as an "Antique" and "Told me it was solid kaya" which I was highly skeptical of given the price asked.
I hope it is katsura.

By the way, does anyone know of any Houston TX players?

I would say it almost certainly isn't kaya (I'm comparing it to my shin-kaya table board, hon-kaya and katsura floor boards, and it most resembles the katsura). It looks in really good condition, though. Do you mind if I ask how much you bought it for?

It was used, and assuming it was katsura (as the pictures looked kaya, but I couldn't be sure) I bid 1200 for it.
Which is cheaper than a brand new board. It has dents and wear on it, but as far as I'm concerned that's a bit of
history

Go is my obsession, and I always knew I'd own a board like this.

I plan on getting my stones from kiseido, unless anyone would recommend another place to get yuki grade shell and slate stones.

They're apparently sold out of the 9.2mm

The only way I can see this board being Kaya is if it is REALLY old and aged VERY well/ Kaya tends to darken after about a century or so .

Another major tell of Kaya would be the smell. Real Kaya has a VERY distinct (though mild) sweet odor to it (one I have noticed that stays in the nose for hours after you've left the boards vicinity).

For your board: I'm placing my money on Katsura...and might I add a beautiful Katsura board at that.

If you want stones contact Mr. Bozulich at Kisedo or Mr. Kuroki (his link was already posted). Both are very knowledgeable and can help you a lot.

Just a side note, I like sized 36 stones for the feel and sized 32 for the aesthetic look.

You can compare with my really old aged kaya board

@Vanity
If you facebook, there is a Houston Go Club FB page.

I've only looked into it due to the fact I will be moving to Houston in a few months. So I can't really field any questions about the club. I could try to get the organizers email if you don't FB, but pm on that regard