Kurokigoishiten

The history of Kurokigoishiten goes back to 1917, when its founder began making Go stones in Hyuga, Miyazaki. Based in a region known for clamshell Go stones, the company has continued to refine its craft, using natural clamshell for white stones and Nachiguro slate for black stones. Today it produces a wide range of Go and Shogi equipment while inheriting the knowledge and techniques built up over generations.

Making clamshell Go stones involves many detailed steps. Clamshells are sliced into rings, adjusted to the desired thickness, cut into discs and then polished by hand one by one. Kurokigoishiten uses a reference "master stone" to check the curve and profile of each piece, ensuring a comfortable feel in the hand and a pleasing sound and impact on the board. The aim is to bring out the warmth and weight of natural materials rather than simply producing uniform pieces.

Finished stones are graded according to their whiteness, translucency, grain pattern and overall balance. High end grades such as Snow and Moon are prized for their fine, even grain, while the Blue Label series offers sets with slightly more variation in appearance at a more accessible price. The numbered series goes a step further by assigning a unique number to each set, allowing owners to know exactly which batch of material their stones were made from.

Beyond stones, Kurokigoishiten also offers Go and Shogi boards made mainly from Kaya wood and bowls crafted from various timbers. The company's "Gallery of Wonderful Goods" introduces specially made pieces such as boards and bowls decorated with traditional lacquer and raden (mother of pearl inlay), showing Go equipment as works of art as well as playing tools. The online store makes it possible to choose everything from practical everyday sets to collector level items.

Through articles about its manufacturing philosophy, interviews with craftspeople, product selection guides and care instructions, Kurokigoishiten presents Go equipment as part of a broader culture. The company believes that knowing the story behind the tools on the table deepens the enjoyment of each game, and it continues to share that story from its workshop in Hyuga with Go players around the world.

Founded in 1917 as a dedicated Go stone maker

Kurokigoishiten was founded in 1917 in Hyuga, Miyazaki, a region known for clamshell Go stones. The company has specialized in Go stones made from natural clamshell and Nachiguro slate for more than a century, and also produces Go and Shogi boards and bowls. Its products are used by Go lovers in Japan and around the world.

Strict quality grading and a rich range of grades

Raw clamshell and slate are carefully examined and sorted according to thickness, shape, color, grain and the presence of flaws. Finished stones are then graded into several levels such as Snow and Moon, as well as the Blue Label series that gathers stones with more individual character. The company also offers "numbered" Go stone sets, where each set has its own identification number so that the origin and story of the stones can be traced.

Support for long term use through care and repair services

Kurokigoishiten provides detailed guides on how to care for Go stones, bowls and boards on its website, and offers services such as re-polishing stones and repairing boards. By combining careful manufacturing with aftercare, the company aims to help customers enjoy their favorite Go sets for many years, rather than treating them as disposable goods.