Answer

Shell Stones (White stones)
Please clean shell stones with dry cotton cloth on regular basis. This will keep the beauty and shining of stones for the first 2 or 3 years. * You do not have to use soapy water.

Slate Stones (Black stones)
When you use black stones on daily basis or often play Go game, you do not have to give special care on black stones, because your finger fats can provide adequate amount of oil with the stone surface, which will effectively keep the beauty of stones.

But if you do not use black stones so often or leave them for a long period of time (Ex. 1 year or more) without using it, the black stones will turn chalky or whitish color. Then you have to use high quality engine oil for automobiles (cars). In this case, you put some drops of engine oil on dry cotton cloth and clean black stones one by one. After that, remove all the surface oil with a clean dry cotton cloth again. Then you can start using it again.

In conclusion, as long as you play Go game and often use stones, no special care is required.

Note: Regarding the oil for black stones, I just introduced you automobile engine oil as one of the examples because the engine oil is the easiest one you can purchase and more availability in daily life.
We recommend thin oils, not sticky and too thicky oils. We do not recommend vegetable oils, such as camellia oil.

投稿者: 黒木碁石店 日時: 14:57

Answer

Our craftsman use Japan wax to care Go board, but it is extremely difficult for ordinary people to handle this wax.
We recommend that customer wipe or clean the Kaya board with dry cotton cloth on regular basis, because we are sure that it will keep good and beautiful condition at least 5-10 years after purchasing. In Japan, we do not use camellia oil for Go board.

投稿者: 黒木碁石店 日時: 14:54

Answer

The difference between standard, through super special grade is as follows.
Basically, grade is determined based on the number of compositions, color evenness, grain patterns, texture or feeling, appearance, and the condition of surface. We strictly check the board one by one according to our strict quality standard. These composition boards are strongly bonded and completely dried so that it will not be bent in the future.
Regarding the difference between "super special" and "special grade", it is difficult to give you a precise definition. Both grades use same material, but every Kaya wood has a little different appearance and colors
because of natural wood. Basically, we focus on the colors, appearance, texture and the distances between each ring and grain pattern to determine “super special” and “special” grade.

投稿者: 黒木碁石店 日時: 14:53

Answer

“Yakusugi” is “Yaku Ceder” harvested in Yakushima Island Japan, which is designated as UNESCO Natural World Heritage. The Yaku cedar has fine and beautiful grain patterns and its oil and fat content is relatively high. Cutting down Yaku cedar have been strictly restricted and prohibited since several decades ago. Yaku cedar older than 1000 years old can be called “Yakusugi”. The oldest cedar tree in Yakushima Island is approx. 7,200 years old.

投稿者: 黒木碁石店 日時: 14:50

Answer

Please e-mail me several photo images of the damage or scratch immediately and give me detailed information (Ex.) size or depth of damage etc. I will reply how to handle it.
If the damage or scratch might have been caused during transportation, you will be able to make an insurance claim to your local postal service. In that case, please keep all the packages and damaged items as it is. These are necessary when making a claim.

投稿者: 黒木碁石店 日時: 14:46