After polishing, each Go stone is sorted by our quality staff.
In our sorting process, we carefully inspect the shape, crack, pure white color and texture using our "Master Stones". (At this stage, approx. 20 % of stones is judged unsuitable.)
Sorting Standard
80%
of surface has beautiful very fine stripes all over.
Snow
Grade Stone has white shine luster and very fine elegant stripes, which is the
characteristic of clamshells.
Its exquisite shape is practical and at the same time very artistic, capturing the player's heart.
(Approx. 10 % of total production)
Less
stripes than Snow grade, but 70% of surface has fine stripes.
Moon
Grade Stone has faint stripes with some space in between.
Its two-tone color make a beautiful contrast as if representing player's strong will for victory.
(Approx. 30 % of total production)
7
to 8 wide stripes can be seen on surface. The number of strips, not the beauty
of stripes, is a key factor to determine these grades.
Standard
stone has wide stripes. Like two other grades, it has nice smooth texture and
beautiful roundness.
(Approx. 40 % of total production)
Our Commitment: Quality and Stone Shape
- When a stone has equal and natural roundness, beautiful stripes are evident.
- A stone should be smooth and stable so as to rock moderately, which is the unique characteristic of Go Stones.
- It should have a nice curve, which produces comfortable feeling.
- Its sideline should be approx. 1mm to avoid damage.
Strict Quality Check
Even if it’s tiny, Go stone with a flaw, hole and crack is not visually attractive and gives players an unpleasant texture. For this reason, we inspect each stone with careful attention.
In the present day surrounded by many advanced technologies, our sorting staff checks the stones one by one by comparing with our Master Stones.
樽磨き
黒木碁石店では、蛤の素材を生かしながら、滑らかな手触りと最高級の輝き、どちらも欠けることなく最大限に引き出してこそ本物の蛤碁石に生まれ変わるものと考えます。そしてその輝きは“樽磨き”によって勝負が決まります。
“樽磨き”では、粉の溶ける時間や石の磨れ合う具合など、微妙な違いが仕上がり方に大きく影響してきますが、日々の天候・水温・石の量は毎日同じという訳にはいきません。しかしどのような場合においても、毎回変わることなく最高の状態に仕上げるためには、その時々の条件にあった作業が必要となります。
黒木碁石店の“樽磨き”では、電動で樽を回転させる以外は、全て手で触れ、目で見て、耳で聞き、まさに人の手によって行われます。長年培われてきた技が、細かな調整や様々な条件に対しても、敏感かつ正確に対処することができます。そして創業以来“より良い蛤碁石を”という追求は、今現在、そしてこの先もなお、止むことはありません。
長年の職人技と、追及の精神が、手触り、輝き、そして最高級の仕上がりを生み出し、黒木碁石店の碁石として世に送り出されます。
