Vintage Japanese Goban 6.25"( 17cm) Thick Go Game Board Floor Board E5

Vintage Japanese Katsura Go Board straight grain 7 cm Thick

Solid single-block katsura goban (桂) with extremely fine grain and cloud-form feet (雲形足)
Japan, mid-Showa period

A substantial single-piece katsura goban showing exceptionally tight and even annual rings across the side faces and beautiful flowing figure on the opposite grain face. Katsura is prized in traditional Japanese go boards for durability, clear tone response, and the warm amber color it develops over decades of use. The board produces a clean sharp pachi sound when stones are placed, with excellent resonance.

Condition is vintage and well cared for, showing natural surface wear, minor marks, and patina consistent with authentic use. The underside is clean with a traditional center-tail cut. Includes the vintage slate & shell stones shown in the photos.

An impressive display and tournament-grade board suitable for serious players, collectors, or Japanese interior décor.

Shipping available in reinforced double-wall crate.

Dimensions: 17 1/4" W x 18" D x 11 1/2" H overall
Board thickness: approx 9 1/2"
Weight: approx 55–65 lbs (estimate)
Grid: Standard 19 x 19
Feet: Hand-carved cloud style

Playing Go on a real Japanese floor board is a different experience from using a thin tabletop board. The thick wooden block produces a deeper, clearer click when stones are placed, a sound that the Nihon Ki-in has long described as part of the “proper atmosphere” of serious play. This resonance comes from both the thickness of the block and the type of wood used. Traditional makers favor kaya, a smooth, golden wood whose density and aging characteristics create a uniquely satisfying tone, but players also commonly encounter katsura, which is heavier and darker, and shin-kaya, a lighter spruce used in modern, affordable boards.

What sets Japanese floor boards apart is the way they’re built. The block rests on four legs, raising the board so that the wood can vibrate freely, and the underside is shaped so the sound of each stone remains consistent. The grain of the wood is chosen so the surface stays stable over time and retains its natural beauty. Even a mid-range Japanese board feels solid, balanced, and responsive under the hand. For players who haven’t used one before, the difference is immediate: the board feels alive, the stones settle cleanly, and the game gains a sense of weight and presence that’s hard to forget.

W 42 × D 45.5 × T 17 × H 29.5