Handgeschnitzte Shogi-Stücke / Mikurajima-Tsuge

These shogi pieces are made with skilled traditional techniques. The hand-engraving process requires the skill of a craftsman to dig out the thickness of the characters with a single ink knife.
The more this shogi pieces are used, the more it turns into a candy color, and the more its texture increases, the more you can enjoy the expression of the shogi piece.
Shogi is a tool to communicate with people regardless of age! Why don't you take this opportunity and play with your frineds or family?

Width：22cm
Depth：30cm
Height：5cm
Weight：500g

Boxwood

STUDIO SEIKICHI NAKAJIMA

"Pursuit of beauty"

Shogi is a game with a total of 40 pieces. We believe that it is a traditional Japanese beauty to make the pieces lined up on the Shogi board look beautiful from any angle, and to ensure that the pieces are of uniform size and thickness. We do not only want you to enjoy the game itself, but also enjoy the beautiful outlook of shogi tools. We are always aiming for the highest quality of "Made In Japan".

ARTISAN STORY

Masaharu Nakajima / Nakajima Seikichi Studio
They have been manufacturing Tendo Shogi pieces in Yamagata Prefecture for four generations since the company was founded in 1868. From inexpensive products to high-end pieces used in the Meijin Tournament (professional Shogi tournament), our products are loved by people of all ages. We offer a full range of services for these products, from the purchase of raw wood to the processing of the wood and the production of the finished product.

TENDO SHOGI KOMA / TENDO JAPANESE CHESS PIECES

About 190 years ago / 1830s / Late Edo Period

Tendo’s shogi-piece industry began in the late Edo period when retainers of the financially troubled Oda domain took up piece making as supplementary work. Administrator Yoshida Daihachi defended the practice by arguing that shogi was connected to military strategy and therefore suitable for samurai, helping establish the industry.

In Japan, Tendo is famous as “the town of shogi pieces,” with piece motifs appearing around stations, bridges and streets. Production ranges from simple printed sets to carved pieces filled with lacquer and the highest-grade moriage pieces with raised lettering.

On premium moriage pieces, lacquer is not only placed into carved characters; it is repeatedly built up above the surface until the calligraphy becomes slightly three-dimensional. A tiny game piece becomes a miniature fusion of calligraphy, carving and lacquer.

Individual Differences

As each piece is individually handcrafted, slight variations in color, pattern, shape, and texture may occur. These subtle differences are a natural characteristic of handcrafted works, making each piece truly unique. We hope you will enjoy these individual variations as part of the beauty and character of Japanese craftsmanship.

Production Time

If an item is not currently in stock, it may be made to order by the artisan. As each piece is carefully handcrafted, production may take several months depending on the item and the artisan's schedule. We appreciate your patience and understanding.