How to choose a Go board
For all Go board products, please click here.
For Board craftsman Mr.Torayoshi Yoshida made Go board, please click here.
For Board craftsman Mr.Keiji Miwa made Go board, please click here.
For Board craftsman Mr.Miura made Go board, please click here.
For Go board with legs, please click here.
For Table Go board, please click here.
For Other Go boards such as miniature board, 9*9-ro Go board, Off-spec Go board, etc, please click here.
There are a wide variety of Go boards with a wide range of prices.
The price ranges from a few thousand JPY (less than US$100) to over 10 million JPY (US$100,000), so we recommend that you choose a board that fits your budget, the situation in which you will be using it, and your personal preferences.
How to choose Go stones
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For Premium Go stones products, please click here.
For Clamshell Go stones BLUE Label products, please click here.
For Go stones Care Kit products, please click here.
There are two types of Go stones: white Go stones and black Go stones.
White Go stones
The most common white Go stones are Clam Go stones, which are made from clam shells. In addition to Clam Go stones, there are also glass and plastic Go stones.
Black Go stones
The most common black Go stones are Nachi-Kuroishi from Kumano City, Mie Prefecture. In addition to Nachiguro stones, there are also stones made overseas, glass, plastic, etc.
Value and Price of Go bowls
'The value and price of Go bowls are determined by various factors such as the wood material, grain pattern, size (range of containable Go stones), shape, and the name of the craftsperson who made it.
Wood Material: Most Go bowls are made of wood and their value and price vary depending on the type of wood, the difficulty in processing and shaping, and its rarity.
The approximate order of value, price, and rarity is as follows.
High-grade Go bowls (from the highest to the lowest): Kurokaki (black persimmon), Yakusugi (Yakushima Island cedar), Shimaguwa (island mulberry), Honkuwa (mulberry), Shitan/Kokutan (rosewood, ebony)
Common wooden Go bowls (from the highest to the lowest): Honkuwa (mulberry), Enju or Enji (Japanese pagoda tree), Karin (angsana), Keyaki (zelkova), Kihada (amur cork tree), Sendan (Japanese mahogany), Tamo (ash), Shii/Kusu/Nara (pasania, camphor, oak), Sakura (cherry), Kuri (chestnut tree), plastic or resin.
* The order above is not always the same as the price of the wood material varies depending on the amount in distribution on the market and many other factors.
* For more detailed information, please see the "Features of Wood Material for Go Bowls".
The approximate order of value, price, and rarity is as follows.
High-grade Go bowls (from the highest to the lowest): Kurokaki (black persimmon), Yakusugi (Yakushima Island cedar), Shimaguwa (island mulberry), Honkuwa (mulberry), Shitan/Kokutan (rosewood, ebony)
Common wooden Go bowls (from the highest to the lowest): Honkuwa (mulberry), Enju or Enji (Japanese pagoda tree), Karin (angsana), Keyaki (zelkova), Kihada (amur cork tree), Sendan (Japanese mahogany), Tamo (ash), Shii/Kusu/Nara (pasania, camphor, oak), Sakura (cherry), Kuri (chestnut tree), plastic or resin.
* The order above is not always the same as the price of the wood material varies depending on the amount in distribution on the market and many other factors.
* For more detailed information, please see the "Features of Wood Material for Go Bowls".
High quality and value
The Kurokaki Go bowl is a high-quality artwork with a beautiful appearance characterized by a clear contrast of black and white colors. The black persimmon tree needs to be dried out in the open air for many years to be used as material for wooden artifacts. It is an extremely difficult material to handle since the white and black areas have different shrinkage ratios, which may often result in cracking during the drying process. Go bowls are finished after a number of repeated grinding and drying processes. As it is carefully dried and painstakingly crafted, the Go bowl is not easily deformed and can retain its beauty for many years.
The greatest feature of the Kurokaki (black persimmon) Go bowl is the unique appearance of the black patterns on the wood surface. Some Go bowls have a black pattern as if it is drawn with a fine brush, while others have a bold black pattern, which is a miracle of nature and you can never find two of the same design. Kurokaki (black persimmon) is rarely available on the wood market and it is difficult to tell whether it has a black pattern until it is cut. Even if the wood has black patterns after cutting, nobody knows how the black pattern will appear on the surface until the Go bowl is completely finished.
Only artisans who have been engaged in making Go bowls for many years and know the nature of this wood are able to make a black persimmon Go bowl, which makes it truly a gem and worth calling a "precious wood".
Go bowls made of Yakusugi (cedar) (over 1,000-year-old cedar trees grown on Yakushima Island, Japan), are so beautiful and graceful with their intricate and elaborate grain patterns that there are serious "Yakusugi collectors" all over the world.Since Yakushima Island has been registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, logging has been prohibited and the quantity of Yakusugi trees on the market is quite limited, making them extremely difficult to obtain.
The color of Yakusugi (cedar) wood is reddish-brown. It is a very beautiful wood with its unique aroma and intricate grain patterns including moku (figure) and kobu (burl).
Please note that the tree oil or fat may start to seep as time goes by as the wood contains a lot of oil and fat.
Generally, Go bowls made of kuwa (mulberry) are regarded as the highest quality. Among them, the name "shimaguwa" is only used for Go bowls made from the mulberry trees grown on Mikura-jima Island.
Shimaguwa (island mulberry) grows on Mikura-jima Island under a specific environment influenced by the volcanic geology, unique climate, and ocean currents. The island mulberry is quite different from the mainland-grown mulberry in terms of the density of annual rings and elaborateness. Island mulberry is exceptional, with a light moss green that can be seen during the cutting and grinding process amid ochre colors, and the color change to a deep golden as time goes by. Unlike the mainland, the growing environment of Mikura-jima Island makes logging and transportation very difficult, which is another reason for the rarity and popularity of island mulberry. In general, it is rare and more expensive than the Honkuwa (mulberry) Go bowl.
Shimaguwa (island mulberry) grows on Mikura-jima Island under a specific environment influenced by the volcanic geology, unique climate, and ocean currents. The island mulberry is quite different from the mainland-grown mulberry in terms of the density of annual rings and elaborateness. Island mulberry is exceptional, with a light moss green that can be seen during the cutting and grinding process amid ochre colors, and the color change to a deep golden as time goes by. Unlike the mainland, the growing environment of Mikura-jima Island makes logging and transportation very difficult, which is another reason for the rarity and popularity of island mulberry. In general, it is rare and more expensive than the Honkuwa (mulberry) Go bowl.
This wood is highly praised by Ohno Showasai, a living national treasure of Japan, who wrote in his book "Wood Craftsmanship" that "honkuwa is the best wood in the world, and no other wood is better than this in terms of grain pattern, figure, and the elegance of the color".
Except for the very expensive one-of-a-kind Go bowl, honkuwa Go bowls made of mulberry are regarded as the finest quality. Generally, honkuwa is synonymous with a high-class product.
Honkuwa is the generic term for several types of mulberry, such as Yamaguwa, Honguwa, and Jiguwa. Honkuwa has all the excellent features required to be selected as a material for Go bowls, such as the highest wood quality, clear annual rings, a golden color that becomes more beautiful over time, showing different expressions depending on the viewing angle and strong enough to be used as a walking stick.
Except for the very expensive one-of-a-kind Go bowl, honkuwa Go bowls made of mulberry are regarded as the finest quality. Generally, honkuwa is synonymous with a high-class product.
Honkuwa is the generic term for several types of mulberry, such as Yamaguwa, Honguwa, and Jiguwa. Honkuwa has all the excellent features required to be selected as a material for Go bowls, such as the highest wood quality, clear annual rings, a golden color that becomes more beautiful over time, showing different expressions depending on the viewing angle and strong enough to be used as a walking stick.
The Honkaya Go bowl is made of Japanese Torreya, which is regarded as the finest Go/Shogi board material.Honkaya is a very beautiful wood with its gentle color and close grain patterns, that are specific to Japanese Torreya. Since the wood colors are very similar to each other, honkaya Go bowls match perfectly with Go/Shogi boards made of honkaya and Hyuga kaya (grown in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan).
Kokutan (Ebony) is a very popular wood that is considered one of the three most famous woods.
Kokutan (Ebony) wood is quite dense and hard wood with high level of durability as it grows very slowly.
Some ebony wood piece is heavy and dense enough to sink in the water.
By taking advantage of these characteristics, ebony is often used to make piano keys, Buddhist family alter and its fittings.
Dark black and pale red colored stripes are unique design, that attract more serious collectors.
It is quite rare wood as it is not only hard to purchase but also to process.
Kokutan (Ebony) wood is quite dense and hard wood with high level of durability as it grows very slowly.
Some ebony wood piece is heavy and dense enough to sink in the water.
By taking advantage of these characteristics, ebony is often used to make piano keys, Buddhist family alter and its fittings.
Dark black and pale red colored stripes are unique design, that attract more serious collectors.
It is quite rare wood as it is not only hard to purchase but also to process.
Low quality and value
Go bowls have a wide variety of grain patterns, such as masame (straight grain), moku (figure), and kobu (burl). Depending on the type of wood, some materials have clear distinct grain patterns, while others do not.
Especially, Yakusugi (cedar) is famous for the beauty of its moku (figure) and kobu (burl). Many of the cedar trees and their stumps buried in the ground in Yakushima Island have moku figures. The beauty, luster and variety of colors and grain patterns, such as awa moku (bubble figure) and budo moku (grape figure), are the essence of Yakusugi cedar.
Just for your information, the Chinese character for moku 杢 is said to be a combination of two different characters meaning carpenter (daiku 大工).
Especially, Yakusugi (cedar) is famous for the beauty of its moku (figure) and kobu (burl). Many of the cedar trees and their stumps buried in the ground in Yakushima Island have moku figures. The beauty, luster and variety of colors and grain patterns, such as awa moku (bubble figure) and budo moku (grape figure), are the essence of Yakusugi cedar.
Just for your information, the Chinese character for moku 杢 is said to be a combination of two different characters meaning carpenter (daiku 大工).
High quality and value
Most of the Go bowls made from mulberry, zelkova, pasania, camphor, oak, etc. use masame (straight grain) wood. When you view a Go bowl from above, the lid has straight vertical (horizontal) patterns. When viewed from the side, the grain runs vertically.
Moku refers to the intricate grain patterns and figures that rarely appear on the area of branching or close to the tree root in the forms of localized twists and curvatures. These are caused by the specific conditions and unique environment where the tree grows.
The wood with the moku figure is a high-end material because of its rarity, aesthetic value, and excellent decorative value.
There are various types of moku figures depending on the shapes and characteristics, such as kujaku moku (peacock figure), budo moku (grape figure), tama moku (ball figure), tora moku (tiger figure), uzura moku (quail figure), awa moku (bubble figure), chijimi moku (shrinking figure), chogan moku (bird's-eye figure), botan moku (peony figure), and torafu (tiger stripe).
The wood with the moku figure is a high-end material because of its rarity, aesthetic value, and excellent decorative value.
There are various types of moku figures depending on the shapes and characteristics, such as kujaku moku (peacock figure), budo moku (grape figure), tama moku (ball figure), tora moku (tiger figure), uzura moku (quail figure), awa moku (bubble figure), chijimi moku (shrinking figure), chogan moku (bird's-eye figure), botan moku (peony figure), and torafu (tiger stripe).
Kobu is a group of burls formed on the surface of wood. Since these burls appear infrequently and in small quantity, the wood with burl is regarded as a truly rare material. The beauty of the burl makes the wood highly valued as a material for artwork with decorative purposes.
Low quality and value
Generally, the size of Go bowls should be selected based on the thickness of the Go stones to be contained. The most suitable size is that the level of Go stones fills up to 80% of the Go bowl. Our black Go stones are slightly larger than the white ones, so please consider the size of the black stone as standard.
The size of our stones is as follows. (From the smallest to the largest):
The size of our stones is as follows. (From the smallest to the largest):
Large (size 20 to 30)
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Extra Large (size 30 to 35)
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Super Extra Large (size 36 to 42)
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Super*2 Extra Large (size 43 or larger)
* Please note that Go bowls for "Super*2 Extra Large stones" are labeled as to what size Go stones can be contained, such as "up to size XX" or "suitable for size XX".
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Extra Large (size 30 to 35)
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Super Extra Large (size 36 to 42)
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Super*2 Extra Large (size 43 or larger)
Today, the most widely-used Go bowl is a round-shaped one called "Yasui-gata". There are various theories and definitions of the Yasui-gata shape, and some of them resemble the fruit of the jujube. The main reason why the Yasui-gata shape is so popular and widely used is the fact that Go stones can stay quite stable inside the container as the center of gravity is maintained in the lower part of the container. 
There are several types of Yasui-gata shapes, including "Hira-goke" which has a lower height and a larger diameter, often paired with a tabletop board.
Another popular shape is the "Hon-inbo shape", which looks like a bamboo joint. In fact, it has a long history and had been the mainstream until the Yasui-gata shape was introduced.In ancient times, people sliced bamboo trunks into rings and used them as containers for Go stones. Therefore, the Hon-inbo shape Go bowl looks exactly like a cross-section of bamboo.
The Yasui-gata shape is generally popular, but the unique and traditional Hon-inbo type is another popular shape among serious collectors.
Other popular types of Go bowls include the dodecagonal shape, a stacking-type of two Go bowls, and Go bowls using the hikimono (wood grinding) technique called "sen-suji", which is used to make soup bowls, deep platters, trays, and other circular vessels.
Go bowls are made using a technique called "rokuro mokko (a wood grinding technique using an automatic wheel)", which is a wood-shaping method by turning and shaving the wood surface.The bottom of our Go bowl made by Mr. Nishikawa Takashi, Certified Traditional Craftsman, has a branding iron seal that proves his artwork. A written certificate is also attached to the wooden box.
We sell many other Go bowls made by other notable craftspersons and artisans
Material Comparison Table
| Material | Price Range | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Kurogaki (Black Persimmon)Finest Grade | From roughly ¥300,000+ | A top-tier named wood in which no two pieces share the same natural pattern of black and white grain. Distinct black markings appear in only about 1 in tens of thousands of trees, and rare "peacock-figure" grain in perhaps 1 in several hundred thousand — an extraordinarily scarce material. |
| Yakusugi (Yakushima Cedar) | From roughly ¥300,000+ | A globally rare wood prized for its intricate, beautiful figure, burls, and distinctive fragrance. Logging is now banned, making it extremely difficult to obtain. |
| Shima-guwa (Island Mulberry) | Tens of thousands to several hundred thousand yen | A rare mulberry from Mikurajima Island. Hard and dense with real heft, it develops a beautiful golden hue over time. Rarer than standard mulberry (honkuwa) and considered a wood apart. |
| Honkuwa (True Mulberry) | From the tens of thousands of yen range | The byword for a fine go bowl. Hard, dense wood with real weight, and a rich, golden grain with a distinctive sense of depth. |
| Kokutan (Ebony) | From the tens of thousands of yen range | One of the "three great named woods," prized for its striking bands of jet black and pale reddish tones. A rare material that is difficult to work, also widely used in fine Japanese woodcraft and Buddhist altar fittings. |
| Keyaki (Zelkova) | From around ¥10,000+ | A go-bowl staple with bold, distinct grain and strong resistance to moisture. A well-balanced choice for price and quality. |
| Sakura (Cherry) | From around ¥10,000 | A bright wood with a reddish tone. Relatively affordable among named woods. |
| Kuri (Chestnut) | From a few thousand yen | Grain is somewhat coarse but the wood is sturdy and very affordable — a good entry point into wooden go bowls. |
| Plastic Resin | From a few hundred to a few thousand yen | Lightweight, inexpensive, and durable — ideal as a first set. |
* Prices vary depending on size (gauge/thickness rating), shape, rarity of the wood grain, and the maker. Please check each product page for details.
Recommended Products by Material
Plastic Resin — Recommended Picks
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Urea Resin Go Bowl — for size 32 stones
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Urea Resin Go Bowl (wood-grain finish) — for size 32 stones
Kuri (Chestnut) — Recommended Picks
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Chestnut Wood Go Bowl
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Chestnut Go Bowl, Honinbo Style — by woodturner Kaishi
Sakura (Cherry) — Recommended Picks
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Best SellerView product
Sakura (Cherry Wood) Go Bowl — by Kaishi
Keyaki (Zelkova) — Recommended Picks
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Keyaki (Zelkova) Go Bowl — by Kaishi
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Keyaki (Zelkova) Go Bowl, Extra Large, size 36 — by woodturner Kaishi
Honkuwa (True Mulberry) — Recommended Picks
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Honkuwa (True Mulberry) Go Bowl
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Honkuwa (True Mulberry) Go Bowl, Extra Large, size 38 — by woodturner Kaishi
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Honkuwa (True Mulberry) Go Bowl, Super Extra Large, ~size 40 — by Master Craftsman Takashi Nishikawa
Kurogaki, Yakusugi, Shima-guwa & Kokutan — Recommended Picks
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One-of-a-Kind Premium Go Bowls
For those seeking a truly one-of-a-kind piece in a rare named wood. Browse our current one-off pieces in materials such as kurogaki and yakusugi — updated as stock changes.
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Named-Wood Go Bowls
A broad selection of named-wood go bowls, including kokutan and shima-guwa. Take your time and find one that fits your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
A goke (碁笥) is a lidded container used to hold go stones. It's read "goke," or sometimes "gosu." During play, the lid is turned upside down and used to hold captured stones ("agehama") taken from the opponent. Goke are made from a wide range of materials, from named woods such as mulberry, yakusugi, and zelkova, to simple, everyday plastic resin. The inverted lid also serves as a small tray for stones you've picked up but not yet placed.
Role in scoring: at the end of the game, during territory counting, each player returns their captured stones (agehama) into the opponent's territory, reducing the opponent's points. Because this exchange directly affects the final score, keeping an accurate count of agehama matters a great deal.
Role in scoring: at the end of the game, during territory counting, each player returns their captured stones (agehama) into the opponent's territory, reducing the opponent's points. Because this exchange directly affects the final score, keeping an accurate count of agehama matters a great deal.
Choose a bowl size to match the gauge (thickness) of the stones you'll store in it. As a rule of thumb, the stones should fill the bowl to about 80% capacity. Since black stones are slightly larger than white, sizing to the black stones is the safer choice. Sizes increase in this order: Large (gauge 20–30), Extra Large (gauge 30–35), Super Extra Large (gauge 36–42), and Ultra Extra Large (gauge 43 and up).
The two classic shapes are "Yasui" and "Honinbo." The Yasui style is rounded, with a low center of gravity for good stability, and is the most widely used shape today. The Honinbo style has a stepped silhouette modeled after a bamboo joint; it predates the Yasui style and has a wider opening that makes it easy to scoop out stones. Other shapes exist too, including twelve-sided bowls and paired sets.
Prices vary widely by material and maker, from a few thousand yen up to several million yen. Plastic resin bowls run a few thousand yen; named woods such as chestnut and cherry run from a few thousand to the tens of thousands of yen; common named-wood bowls such as zelkova and true mulberry run in the tens of thousands of yen; and one-of-a-kind premium bowls in materials like yakusugi or kurogaki can run from several hundred thousand up to several million yen.
For everyday use or for children, sturdy and reasonably priced named woods such as zelkova, Chinese scholar tree, or oak are a good choice. For a gift or a higher-quality piece, consider rarer named woods such as yakusugi, kurogaki, or island mulberry. In the end, as long as your stones fit properly, the deciding factor really comes down to your preference in grain and color.
It's perfectly fine to choose a go bowl on its own, but pairing a light-colored board — such as one made from kaya — with a go bowl in the same wood or a similarly light tone creates a cohesive look. On the other hand, many players like the contrast of pairing a light-colored board with a deep reddish rosewood (karin), or a dark, calm-toned kokutan or shitan bowl. Whether you go for harmony or contrast is a matter of taste — and half the fun of choosing equipment is in that back-and-forth, so take your time and enjoy the decision.
Keep the bowl out of direct sunlight and away from high heat and humidity; a light wipe with a dry, soft cloth is generally all the care it needs. Never wipe it with a damp cloth or any kind of cleaner or solvent — this can cause the wood to crack or discolor. Yakusugi in particular contains a lot of natural resin, so oils and resin may seep to the surface over time; for this reason, avoid leaving stones inside the bowl for extended periods.
If resin or oil does appear on the surface, gently wipe it away with a dry, soft cloth.
If resin or oil does appear on the surface, gently wipe it away with a dry, soft cloth.
