Kaya wood is not well-known to the general public, but its unique aroma, beautiful grain, and glossy light yellow color make it an excellent material for Go boards and Shogi boards, and it has long been prized by Go and Shogi enthusiasts as a top quality product.
It is also suitable for products in the kitchen area because of its resistance to water and moisture, which is why it was used as a material for ships in the past, and because of its natural bactericidal properties.
The wood is extremely durable, and there is an old saying that goes, "Maki ten thousand years, Kaya unlimited".
The wood will become more and more beautiful as it ages, and the more you use it, the more you will love it.
It is best known as the highest quality Go board and Shogi board, with some of the most expensive ones costing several million to over 10 million yen per side.
Kaya trees grow extremely slowly, requiring 3-4 years to reach 30 cm in length and more than 300 years to reach a diameter of 1.1 m, which is suitable for making a Go board.