Hyuga City in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, is recognized as one of the most important clam shell Go stone producers in the World. Until the early 1900's clams from the Hitachi, Mikawa, and Kuwana areas of Japan were thought of as being the best for the production of high quality clam shell Go stones. However, around this time, a travelling salesman from Toyama Prefecture passed through Hyuga and took note of the quality of Hyuga "hamaguri" clam shells. The Hyuga clams had shells even thicker and denser than those coming from the other areas. The Hyuga clams were taken to Osaka and Hyuga very quickly gained a reputation as being the source of material for first class stones.

Nearly a century has passed since then, and those three areas, once known as leaders in the Go stone industry, have disappeared. Only Hyuga remains; constantly striving to maintain, and improve upon, traditional techniques. Hyuga takes pride in being the best and only home of clam shell Go stones.

However, even Okuragahama in Hyuga, the home of the famous Hyuga hamaguri clams, is suffering a scarcity of clam shells. So much so that Go stones made in Hyuga from real Hyuga hamaguri shells have reached near legendary status. While stones produced in Hyuga are crafted using time-honored traditional techniques, most of the shells themselves are now imported from Mexico. Despite the shells' immigrant status, the stones so produced proudly bear the name "Hyuga Tokusei Goishi," "Hyuga-Crafted Clam Go Stones," and are loved and sought after by Go fans the World over.

Our Go stones are carefully crafted using special techniques developed over our 80 year history, and are often the stones of choice for official Go matches throughout Japan.

（Click on pictures for larger views.）

	The "Legendary" Hyuga Clam Go Stones (Hyuga Tokusan Hamaguri Goishi)
		The very best quality stones made from clam shells harvested in Hyuga. These marvelous stones come in three grades (Snow Grade, Hana Grade) according to the pattering on the stone. Hyuga clam stones have finer patterns and a more elegant milk-white color than their Mexican cousins, and some swear that the difference can even be felt in the responsiveness of the stone when it is held and played.

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