Answer

Mexican-shell stones manufacturing started in full swing in 1965, when our firm developed a cutting method using a diamond drill. In 1975, I built Mexican shell cutting factory in BAJA California, South State of Mexico. Since then I visited there 8 times and trained local staff on how to select good shell and cutting method.
However, we were unprofitable due to the decline of demand, we closed down our own factory in 2000. Since then we purchased Mexican shell, which is already cut out at our affiliated firm.
Distinguishing Hyuga and Mexican clamshell is relatively easy because these two have totally different grain patterns.

投稿者: 黒木碁石店 日時: 15:37 | パーマリンク

Answer

Manufacturing of clamshell Go stones dates back in Tokyo about 150 years ago and later in Osaka. Until then, other thin clamshell harvested in the neighboring area of Tokyo or Osaka was used to make Go stones. The thickness of the stone at that time was 4mm to 7.5mm.
About 110 years ago, Go stone manufacturers in Osaka happened to know that there were good quality thick clamshells in Hyuga (Miyazaki) area. First, the clamshell harvested in Hyuga was sent to them to be processed in Osaka. Later, some Go stone craftsmen moved from Hyuga to Osaka or some people in Hyuga went to Osaka to learn how to process Go stones using Hyuga clamshells. They came back to Hyuga several years later and opened their factory or workshops in Hyuga. This is the beginning of clamshell Go stone manufacturers in Hyuga. My grandfather worked as an apprentice for a famous Go stone craftsman in Osaka. I have heard that until the first 20 years from our firm’s foundation, my grandfather delivered all of his works to 1 Go dealer in Tokyo and 1 dealer in Osaka, total 2 dealers. So he made the shape of Go stones according to dealers’ preference or users’ preference. That shape was HoninBo-shape. At that time, the price of thick Hyuga clamshell stones was as expensive as one house. Of course, the price is a dealer's retail price, so I believe my grandfather, who was a hick, sold these stones to dealers at 1/4 of that retail price.

In 1960, my father went to Tokyo, being invited by a dealer in Tokyo, to check the high quality "Go stones made by my grandfather" owned by a rich man. Father said to me the owner of the stone lived in a huge house in Tokyo and he was a very rich man. There my father saw a great Hyuga Kaya board and beautiful Honinbo stones, probably Snow grade size 39.

Today, we have received old go stones from Go players all over Japan and have been asked for its repair. I perception is that Go stone shape have not changed a lot just like chessmen.

投稿者: 黒木碁石店 日時: 15:35 | パーマリンク

Answer

The mulberry harvested in Mikura Island or Miyake Island, Tokyo Japan, is called "Island mulberry" (Shimakuwa). It is sometimes called "Golden mulberry" because island mulberry looks golden yellow depending on the angle of sunlight. (Very rarely, a few Honkuwa look golden yellow.)
In addition, some island mulberry has MOKU (knot-like wood grain). Rare and beautifully-shaped MOKU is highly valued and very popular among serious collectors of Gosu. It costs 500,000JPY or more.

Mikura Island and Miyake Island, where island mulberry is grown, are active volcanic islands. Therefore, these islands have totally different soil from other areas, very steep mountains, strong wind, and mild climate. All these factors make island mulberry high quality wood.

The reasons for higher price of island mulberry are the rarity, the facts that they are harvested in limited area, only two small islands. Island mulberry is used to make not only Go box or Shogi piece box and piece stand, but also very expensive tea utensils.

Regarding regular quality island mulberry, the price is not so high, but if island mulberry has MOKU (knot), the price is determined based on the condition of MOKU. Honkuwa (Mountain mulberry) is usually less valued than island mulberry.

投稿者: 黒木碁石店 日時: 15:33 | パーマリンク

Answer

Almost all of our Go boards are made by Mr. Masaru Umeda. Most boards on our website are made by him, but some are by Mr. Tsutomu Kuroki, who is Umeda's master (teacher). Umeda was Kuroki’s apprentice before, so their work (shape of leg, board perfection) is almost the same.

投稿者: 黒木碁石店 日時: 15:32 | パーマリンク

Answer

Honestly speaking, here in Japan there is no special category of Go bowl shape, such as “Goseigen” nor “Kitani”.
However, many foreign customers have asked me if we produce Goseigen-shape Gosu. All Japanese manufacturers produce standard-shape Gosu only, which means there is only one shape available in Japan.

I have once asked a pupil of Mr. Goseigen about this shape, but he also did not know about it. I assume that the term "Goseigen" or "Kitani" shape is used only among foreign players.

投稿者: 黒木碁石店 日時: 15:31 | パーマリンク

Answer

The actual diameter of stone is as follows.
Diameter of white stone: Approx. 21.9mm
Diameter of black stone: Approx. 22.2mm
Although they are different diameter, it looks like totally same due to human's visual function.

投稿者: 黒木碁石店 日時: 15:30 | パーマリンク

Answer

The scratches on the surface can be repaired as follows.
1. Set the scratched side on top.
2. Put several layers of gauze or tissue paper on the scratch.
3. Drop some drips of boiling water 3-4 times.
4. The small scratches will be completely repaired.
5. After it is well dried, apply some wax on the surface.

投稿者: 黒木碁石店 日時: 15:28 | パーマリンク

Answer

We recommend that all Go players should wash their hands before playing the game. And after the game, if you clean white stones with dry cotton cloth one by one, you can keep as pure white as the new stones for eternity.
However, white stones may change its color to yellowish or brownish if you leave them for a long time without using it. This may happen when the fats and dirt of player's hands have attached to white stones.
In this case, please clean these stones as follows.
1. Put several drops of mild detergent into water and clean the stone surface by hand.
2. Place stones on a clean mesh and dry them in the sunshine (or in shade) and adequate natural breezing.
3. When they are completely dry, wipe stone surface using dry cotton cloth one by one.

投稿者: 黒木碁石店 日時: 15:27 | パーマリンク

ご返答

使用前にきれいに手を洗うこと。
皮脂がついたまま利用して長期間使用しないと黄色くなる場合がございます。

投稿者: 黒木碁石店 日時: 15:25 | パーマリンク

Answer

All Go boards are made of wood, which is softer than go stones. Therefore, all boards will have minor dents after placing stones. If the wood would have been harder than stones, you cannot get a good feeling and snapping sound in placing a stone is not good. After purchasing a new board, you may first mind the dents. But after you use it for a long time, you will feel more comfortable and get good feeling with the board.

投稿者: 黒木碁石店 日時: 15:23 | パーマリンク