605-SPF-SP01 Shogi pieces craftsman "Fu-getsu 富月" made Mikurajima-hon-tsuge (Mikura Island grown boxwood), Moku, Kinki (Kinki script), Mori-age(embossed) Shogi pieces SHK-FG605-01

Calligraphy : Kinki (Kinki script) "Kinki-sho calligraphy" is very popular with its long history and dynamic writing.
"Kinki" is a very popular calligraphy style engraved on Shogi pieces.
There is a famous saying among Shogi players, "playing Shogi cannot start without Kinki and cannot end up without Kinki".
About the Origin of “Kinki”
The origin of the “Kinki” style is said to date back to the Edo period. It is believed that Ryuzan Toyoshima, regarded as the founder of modern shogi piece lettering, copied an inscription by Emperor Go-Mizunoo that had been preserved by the main Ohashi family, one of the three hereditary shogi families (the Main Ohashi Family, the Branch Ohashi Family, and the Ito Family) known for their association with castle shogi games.
Out of respect for the Emperor, Ryuzan refrained from using the Emperor's name directly on shogi pieces. Instead, inspired by the “Nishiki no Mihata” (Imperial Brocade Banner) of the late Edo period, he named the style “Kinki” (“Brocade Banner”).
Incidentally, Okuno Ikka, a contemporary shogi piece craftsman of Ryuzan, created and sold a completely different calligraphic style known as “Shoryu” under the name “Kinki.” This style later became known as “Okuno Kinki.”

Shogi pieces types : Mori-age(Embossed) 'Mori-age-koma' is a piece made by filling the engraved characters with lacquer, and after drying and polishing the surface flat, finishing by using a brush to add more lacquer on top of the engraved lacquer parts to give slightly raised characters.
*You can view the shogi piece production process through the images provided.

Materials : Mikurajima-hon-tsuge (Mikura Island grown boxwood) /
Mikurajima is an island located in the central part of the Izu Islands (an area with many islands of various sizes) in Tokyo, Japan.
The quality of tsuge grown in the unique soil and climate is perfect for making shogi pieces.
Mikurajima Island is the most highly regarded tsuge producing area along with the Satsuma region of Kagoshima Prefecture, that produces Satsuma tsuge.
The hontsuge grown on Mikurajima Island is the best material for shogi pieces in terms of the color, luster, touch, weight, and texture of the wood.

Moku
"Moku" refers to rare and intricate figured patterns that occasionally appear in wood due to natural growth conditions, such as localized twisting, curvature, branching, or growth near the roots.
Because of its rarity, unique beauty, and outstanding decorative appeal, Moku is highly prized as a valuable material. No two pieces are exactly alike, making each one truly unique.
*Please check the photos for details.

＊画像をご確認ください。

This is an association for training shogi piece makers, organized by "Fugetsu", a famous craftsperson based in Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
"Fugetsu" studied under Mr. Ito Kyutoku, who is entitled "Contemporary Master Craftsman" and based in Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture, and is respected as one of the five greatest master craftsmen in Japan.
His craftsmanship shines through in the delicate, flowing calligraphy, and pseudonym engraved on the bottom of "Gyokusho" and "Osho" pieces, as well as in the plump, graceful moriage (raising with lacquer) technique.
Fugetsu's Shogi pieces have many fans among professional shogi players and are used in many title matches and Meijinsen tournaments.

• Shogi pieces craftsman "Fu-getsu 富月" made Mikurajima-hon-tsuge (Mikura Island grown boxwood), Moku, Kinki (Kinki script), Mori-age(embossed) Shogi pieces
  Product No.：SHK-FG605-01
  In a paulownia flat box
  *Includes 2 extra pawn pieces ("amari-fu").


• 1,000 JPY flat rate shipping within Japan, free shipping for purchases totaling 20,000 JPY or more.
  Please bear the actual cost for shipping charges outside Japan.