Hand Carved Shogi Pieces / Mikurajima-Tsuge

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

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?

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：400 years ago / 1600AD / Edo period in Japan

Shogi (Japanese chess) pieces began to be made in Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture, about 400 years ago. The origin of this craft began when the feudal lords of the time were in dire poverty and supplemented their family income by making shogi pieces as a side job. The Shogun (Conqueror of Japan) family provided generous support, and recognition of the craft spread. Even today, the craftsmen in Tendo produce top-quality pieces that are used in professional shogi matches.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

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.

Craftsman Passion

"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".

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

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

Material & Caution

Materials

Boxwood

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Delivery Date

Please note that it will take about 3 months for delivery if we do not have the item in stock.