These Shitan (rosewood) Go bowls are made by Mr. Kawakita Ryozo, a Living National Treasure of Japan, who is a leading expert in modern woodwork and woodturning. They are more of an artwork than practical use.
These Shitan (rosewood) Go bowls are made by Mr. Kawakita Ryozo, a Living National Treasure of Japan, who is a leading expert in modern woodwork and woodturning. They are more of an artwork than practical use.
These Shitan (rosewood) Go blows are made by Mr. Kawakita Ryozo, a Living National Treasure of Japan. He is a leading modern woodwork artist and his woodturning technique to produce soup bowls, Go bowls, trays, and other objects are widely known.
These Go bowls are far more than a Go equipment, endorsed by overwhelming skill, experience, and knowledge that he had acquired over the past 70 years. He has been sincerely facing wood with unwavering belief all through his career.
These Shitan (rosewood) Go bowls boast thin stripes carved on the lid and the front side of the body, using a special technique called "Sen-suji". Sen-suji is a traditional technique of carving multiple thin grooves so that player's fingers will be able to hold a bowl that has smooth texture. While pursuing practicality and ultimate beauty, it was designed to be held by hand easily when the bowl contains Go stones and get heavy. "Sen-suji" stripe patterns slightly vary. Mr. Kawakita says, "I made slightly different groove patterns for each bowl followed by my spirit and feeling."
Usually, a pair of two Go bowls are same size. However, Mr. Kawakita explains about this work, "I intentionally made them with different internal volume by taking into account the different size between white and black stones". It is truly rare to see a pair of Go bowls in different volumes, one for white and the another is for black stones. We are amazed to see Mr. Kawakita's strong commitment and unique artisanship to make true gems.
The material wood "Shitan(rosewood)" is known as one of the three major imported woods since ancient times.
Rosewood is dark reddish-purple-brown color and very hard and extremely durable. Please enjoy the elegance, beauty, and practicality.
This Go bowl was made for Honinbo Shuho (the 24th Honinbo Mr. Ishida Yoshio) to celebrate his 70 years of age. This is an unused item, but there are small scratches on the inner bottom.
The name of "Ryozo" is engraved on the outer bottom.
On the front side of Go bowl, there is an artisan name Mr. Kawakita Ryozo in calligraphy and seal. Inside the bowl, his name and seals of "Zuisho", "Koki", and the "24th Honinbo Shuho" respectively.
*If you order this Go bowl, you will get a book entitled "Wood and Life, Wood for Life: Knowledge and Skills of a Thousand Years" written by Mr. Kawakita Ryozo, as a gift.
＊Please check the photo image.
＊Paulownia Go Bowls box,cloth go bowl cover included.
Mr. Kawakita Ryozo's work history (excerpt)
Selected for 54 times since his first exhibition at Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
Awarded the Japan Craft Association Prize in 1966 and 1967.
Awarded the Tokyo Governor's Prize (the highest prize) at the Japan Vase and Tea Ceremony Arts and Crafts Exhibition in 1987.
In 1994, he was certified as a "holder of important intangible cultural assets" (commonly known as a "living national treasure") for his numerous achievements.
Awarded the Chunichi Culture Prize in 1995.
Awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1999.
Awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in 2004.
Awarded the highest technical award at the Contemporary Art Exhibition.
Served as a judge for Japan Traditional Craft Exhibitions
Served as a judge for contemporary art exhibitions
- Details
National Treasure of Japan wood craftsman Mr. Kawakita Ryozo made Shitan (rosewood) Go bowls
GK-STN-006-32NT-01
Conformity Go stone size：size30～32
- Actual shipping cost shall be coved by the customer.
