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.
The leg of my Go board is wobbling. How can I fix it?
Answer
When the leg is wobbling, you can adjust the height by shaving off the bottom of leg or attach a paper, or pulling out a leg with a rubber hammer slightly. The legs are hammered into the wood, not stuck in the table.
After using Go board for several years, I found the board has a small crack at one corner? Can I fix it for myself?
Answer
Here is an instruction on how to fix the crack on the board.
1. Apply strong adhesive or glue (for wood craft) between the cracks.
2. Both sides of the board should be pressed using a jack strongly after placing wood protection on both sides.
3.Leave it for about 10 hours.
4.After 10 hours, release the jack gradually.
5.The cracks will be strongly bonded together.
Caution:
Please keep the Go board away from heat source or stove.
Sudden temperature change and too dry atmosphere is not good for Go board.
How many stones are included in one set? Do you enclose spare stones?
Answer
Yes, we enclose 2 spare stones for each. (Total 182 white stones, 183 black stones)
What is Mexican clamshell stone? How different from Japanese clamshell stones?
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.
Could you tell me the history of clamshell stones?
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.
Could you give me a detailed information about “Shimakuwa” Gosu?
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.
Who made the Go board?
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.
Could you tell me about Goseigen-Shape Gosu?
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.
It seems to me that black stones are smaller than white stones?
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.
I opened the package and found that the board has small scratches on the surface of the board. How can I fix it?
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.
What should I do before using Go stones? If white stones get terribly dirty, how should I clean it?
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.
After playing several Go games, I found the Go board has small dents on its surface. Does this normally occur?
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.
Do you have a delivery certificate in English?
Answer
Yes, we do. Please tell me when you need a delivery certificate before shipping. We will enclose it with the products.
The set of Go stone includes black stones? I would like to know what is the Black stone made of? They looks very different from the white one.
Answer
All the sets of clamshell stones include black stones made of the highest quality "Nachiguro" slate, mined in Mie Prefecture, near Nagoya Japan. Nachiguro is often used as a touchstone to check the purity of gold. Black stones are matte finished. If its surface is too shiny, players might confuse black and white stones due to optical illusion caused by trick of the light.
The size of black stone and white stone is different so that both stones seem to be totally equal for players. Black stone is 0.3mm bigger and 0.3mm thicker than white stone.
What is “Shako” shell?
Answer
Shako shell usually lives in the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean. It has wide varieties of colors and grain patterns. Shako stone looks amber hue in the photo image, but it is actually white. In order to see its distinctive grain patterns, we took a photo while exposing a small pen-light from the back of the shell, so it looks amber hue.
Please tell me how to clean Go stones.
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.
What kind of care should I give to Go board or Shogi board in daily basis or long term basis?
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.
What is the difference between “Standard”, “Special grade” and “Super special grade” in Hyuga Kaya Go Board? How do you sort it?
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.
I am now considering if I purchase Yakusugi Go box. What is “Yakusugi”?
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.
I opened the package and found that there are some scratches or damage on the board. How can I do this?
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.
Is PayPal accepted?
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