囲碁将棋盤 榧寿堂 ／ Types of Shogi Pieces: Oshi, Kaki, Hori, Horiume and Moriage Explained
Types of Shogi Pieces: Oshi, Kaki, Hori, Horiume and Moriage Explained
When you start looking at wooden shogi sets from Japan, product pages use words like hori-goma, horiume and moriage without explaining them. These words are the most important information on the page.
A set of shogi pieces is classified by how the characters are put on the wood. The wood matters too, but the method of making the characters decides most of the price, the feel in the hand, and how long the characters last.
The five types at a glance
| Type | How the characters are made | How to recognise it |
|---|---|---|
| Oshi-goma (押し駒) | Characters are printed or stamped onto the surface | The surface is flat. The characters have no depth |
| Kaki-goma (書き駒) | Characters are written directly with a brush | You can see the brush strokes. There is no carved groove |
| Hori-goma (彫り駒) | Characters are carved, and lacquer is put into the carving | The characters are sunken. You can feel the groove with a fingertip |
| Horiume-goma (彫埋駒) | The carved grooves are filled with lacquer and polished flat | The characters are inlaid, but the surface is flat |
| Moriage-goma (盛上駒) | On top of horiume, more lacquer is built up with a brush | The characters stand up from the surface |
The order of the table is roughly the order of how much hand work goes into each piece, from printed to raised lacquer.
Telling them apart by touch
Photos online often make these look similar. If you can hold a piece, your fingertip answers the question quickly:
- Flat, and no brush marks → oshi-goma.
- Flat, but the characters show brush strokes → kaki-goma.
- You feel a dip where the character is → hori-goma.
- Completely flat, but the character is clearly a separate inlaid material → horiume.
- You feel the character standing up → moriage.
When buying online, look for a close-up photo taken at an angle. The raised lacquer of moriage pieces and the grooves of hori-goma both show in raking light.
What each type is good for
- Oshi-goma: practical sets for learning and for children. Easy to replace.
- Kaki-goma: the brushwork is the attraction. Look at the calligraphy in the photos.
- Hori-goma: a common choice for a first “real” wooden set. The characters are cut into the wood, so they do not rub off easily.
- Horiume-goma: the surface is flat, so the pieces slide and stack smoothly while the characters remain inlaid.
- Moriage-goma: the type used in serious settings. Note that raised lacquer can wear if it is rubbed hard, so these pieces need gentle handling and careful storage.
Matching the pieces to the board
A common assumption is that expensive pieces must go with an expensive board. We suggest a different way to decide: think about which of the two you will use longer. Your hands are in contact with the pieces far more than with the board. If your budget is limited, it is reasonable to put more of it into the pieces.
Board size and thickness are a separate decision. See Shogi Board Sizes.
Reading a Japanese product page
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| 押し駒 / 書き駒 / 彫り駒 / 彫埋 / 盛上 | The type, as in the table above |
| 黄楊 / 本黄楊 (tsuge) | Boxwood, the traditional wood for good pieces |
| 錦旗 / 水無瀬 / 菱湖 | The name of the calligraphic style (shotai) of the characters |
| 作 / 書 | The maker’s or calligrapher’s name follows |
The calligraphic style is mostly a question of taste and readability. Pick the one you find easiest to read across the board.
FAQ
Is moriage always the best choice? It is the most labour-intensive type, but “best” depends on how you play. For frequent casual play, hori-goma or horiume may suit you better because the characters do not stand proud of the surface.
Do the characters of hori-goma wear off? The characters are carved into the wood, so they are durable. The lacquer in the groove can still be affected by rough handling, so store the pieces in a box or bag.
Where can I buy wooden shogi pieces from outside Japan? See Where to Buy Go and Shogi Equipment for the kinds of shops and what information to ask for before ordering.
This page explains the general classification of shogi pieces (checked: 2026-10-05). Naming and quality vary between makers and shops. Confirm the details with the shop before you buy.