There are 27-steps to process raw clamshells into Go stones.
1.Collect raw clamshells. (Sand pump boat suctions clamshells from the sea bottom. Shells are mined in very deep sedimentation, which is several hundred years old. Today, we no longer collect them because Hyuga clamshells are no more available.)
2.Select and sort raw shells. (Discard bad shells)
3.Measure the thickness of raw shell.
4.Mark the cutting-out position on the shell.
5.Cut out.
6.After cutting out, separate shells based on the color.
7.Measure the thickness. Select and sort cut-out shells.
8.Surface polishing. (First, roughly)
9.Select and sort polished shells.
10.Surface polishing (Secondly)
11.Select and sort polished shells.
12.Finish one side of the shell. (Surface polishing)
13.Selection and resorting.
14.Finish the other side of the shell. (Surface polishing)
15.Selection and resorting.
16.Polish by hand (We spend long hours for this process. We can polish only 20 stones per 1 hour)
17.Smooth the edge of stones.
18.Dry under sunshine.
19.Breaching.
20.Dry under sunshine
21.Polish in barrel-shaped machine (Every stone polishes with each other.)
22.Drying.
23.Sort by thickness.
24.Selecting and resorting to find out damaged, bad-shape, defective stones.
25.Selecting and resorting (Grading) One stone is checked 2 to 3 times in this process.
26.Final selection and resorting. 27.Complete as one product.
*All these process require high level of skill and long experience.
Question from customer Archive
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Could you tell me the detailed manufacturing process of clamshell stones?
The Flow of Online Shopping through Our Website
Customer: Select the item.
↓ Customer: Tell us the shipping address (exact address to which the products are to be sent).
↓ Kuroki Goishi: Measure the size of package and its total weight.
↓ Kuroki Gosihi: Inform the customer of shipping method (EMS or boat) and its cost, as well as approximate period of delivery.
↓ Customer: Choose the shipping method and approve its total cost and payment method. (Finalizing customer’s order)
↓ Kuroki Goishi: Make a charge to customer’s credit card. (Finalizing the payment)
↓ Kuroki Goishi: Packing and shipping.
↓ Customer: Receive the package.
How long does it take from Japan to U.S? How much is the shipping cost?
Answer
Kuroki Goishiten can ship a wide variety of Go equipments all over the world. However, each country has different regulations or limitations for postal and boat service.
After overseas customers placing an order through our website, we will give each of them all the information about possible shipping choices (usually 2-3 choices: air or boat), period of delivery, shipping cost etc.
The shipping cost will be determined based on the size of package, weight, and destination. We will e-mail you the possible shipping methods and total cost so that customer can confirm it and finalize the payment. After receiving a reply and confirmation from customer, we start packing and prepare shipping.
Please see the flow chart below.
I want to visit your factory in Hyuga, Miyazaki. Do you have any English speaking staff? How far is it from Miyazaki Airport?
Answer
Our shop is open Saturdays and Sundays, and you are always welcomed to visit us and see the manufacturing process of our Go equipment. However, sorry, we have no English-speaking staff now. Therefore, it will be impossible to give you guidance in English.
Hyuga-City is 1.5 hours drive and 1 hour by express train from Miyazaki Airport.
Do you sell any special wax for the board?
Answer
Sorry, we do not sell a wax for Go board. But we recommend that you will use beeswax (soft wax), because only craftsman can use very special wax, which is very difficult to handle by the customers.
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