National Treasure of Japan wood craftsman Mr. Kawakita Ryozo made Shitan (rosewood) Go bowls

These Shitan (rosewood) Go bowls boast thin stripes carved on the lid and the front side of the body, using a special technique called "Sen-suji".
Sen-suji is a traditional technique of carving multiple thin grooves so that player's fingers will be able to hold a bowl that has smooth texture. While pursuing practicality and ultimate beauty, it was designed to be held by hand easily when the bowl contains Go stones and get heavy.
"Sen-suji" stripe patterns slightly vary. Mr. Kawakita says, "I made slightly different groove patterns for each bowl followed by my spirit and feeling."

Usually, a pair of two Go bowls are same size. However, Mr. Kawakita explains about this work, "I intentionally made them with different internal volume by taking into account the different size between white and black stones".
It is truly rare to see a pair of Go bowls in different volumes, one for white and the another is for black stones.
We are amazed to see Mr. Kawakita's strong commitment and unique artisanship to make true gems.

This Go bowl was made for Hon-inbo Shuho (the 24th Honinbo Mr. Ishida Yoshio) to celebrate his 70 years of age.
This is an unused item, but there are small scratches on the inner bottom.
The name of "Ryozo" is engraved on the outer bottom of Paulownia box.
On the front side of Paulownia box, there is an artisan name Mr. Kawakita Ryozo in calligraphy and seal.
Inside the Paulownia box's lid, his name and seals of "Zuisho", "Koki", and the "24th Honinbo Shuho" respectively.
*If you order this Go bowl, you will get a book entitled "Wood and Life, Wood for Life: Knowledge and Skills of a Thousand Years" written by Mr. Kawakita Ryozo, as a gift.

• Selected for 54 times since his first exhibition at Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
• Awarded the Japan Craft Association Prize in 1966 and 1967.
• Awarded the Tokyo Governor's Prize (the highest prize) at the Japan Vase and Tea Ceremony Arts and Crafts Exhibition in 1987
• In 1994, he was certified as a "holder of important intangible cultural assets" (commonly known as a "living national treasure") for his numerous achievements
• Awarded the Chunichi Culture Prize in 1995
• Awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1999
• Awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in 2004
• Awarded the highest technical award at the Contemporary Art Exhibition
• Served as a judge for Japan Traditional Craft Exhibitionsv
• Served as a judge for contemporary art exhibitions

• National Treasure of Japan wood craftsman Mr. Kawakita Ryozo made Shitan (rosewood) Go bowls
  Product No. : GK-STN-006-32NT-01
  Conformity Go stone size：size 30～32
  ＊Paulownia Go Bowls box,cloth go bowl cover included.
  
• Please bear the actual cost for shipping charges outside Japan.