Honkaya vs Shinkaya: Why Kaya Is the Finest Wood for Go and Shogi Boards

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The short answer: they are different woods

The biggest difference between honkaya and shinkaya is that they are not the same wood. Honkaya (“true kaya”) is the finest material for go and shogi boards, cut from the Japanese torreya (kaya), a slow-growing conifer. Shinkaya (“new kaya”) is a trade name for other, similar-looking woods — usually spruce — used in its place. They can look alike, but they differ in grain, in how the colour deepens with age, and in the resilience and sound of play.

• Honkaya is torreya; shinkaya is a look-alike wood (often spruce).
• Differences show in grain, colour, feel and sound of play, ageing, and price.
• Honkaya deepens to an amber tone with age; shinkaya changes more gently.
• Honkaya is rare and expensive; shinkaya keeps the cost down.
• Choose by purpose and budget — shinkaya has real merits of its own.

What is honkaya?

Honkaya is timber from the torreya (kaya), a conifer of the yew family. It has been considered the finest material for boards for centuries. Because the tree grows very slowly and takes a long time to reach board size, good timber is scarce.

Its appeal is threefold: a moderate resilience that gives a “sticking” feel as a stone or piece lands; a clear, ringing sound of play; and a colour that deepens from pale yellow to amber over years of use. Together these make honkaya a lifetime board, or one passed down through a family. Grade and price vary greatly with the region, the cut of the grain (straight or flat), and the figure of the wood.

What is shinkaya?

Shinkaya (“new kaya”) is a trade name for woods that resemble honkaya — commonly spruces, with a pale colour and honest, even grain. Its appeal is that it offers a look close to honkaya at a more approachable price, which makes it a popular choice for an everyday board or for those on a budget.

Point by point

Grain

Honkaya is dense, and a fine, straight grain is especially prized; the best timber has an even, deep figure. Shinkaya also has an honest, attractive grain, but tends not to reach the same density or depth of character.

Colour

Honkaya deepens from pale yellow to amber the more it is used — this ageing is a large part of its appeal. Shinkaya stays brighter and more even, and darkens less noticeably over time.

Feel and sound of play

Honkaya has a moderate resilience, a “sticking” feel underhand, and a clear ringing note. Shinkaya also plays pleasantly: Kuroki Goishi Ten says its feel in play is not inferior to honkaya or Hyuga kaya, though its colour changes more with age and it is said to have a shorter service life (Kuroki Goishi Ten, choosing a go board).

Price

Honkaya is expensive because it is scarce. Shinkaya is easier on the budget. Exact figures range widely with thickness and cut, so confirm with a dealer.

How to tell them apart

Because they look alike, telling them apart from a photograph alone can be difficult. Useful clues:

• Colour: a board deepened to amber with use is likely honkaya.
• Grain: a very dense, evenly straight grain points to good honkaya.
• Sound and feel: the “sticking” touch and clear ring are hallmarks of honkaya.
• Labelling and provenance: check a trustworthy shop’s description of the wood, its region, and its cut.

To be certain, examine the board in person at a specialist shop and ask about the timber. In short, honkaya is called the finest because resilient feel, clear sound, ageing beauty, and rarity all come together in one material.

Which should you choose?

The choice is simple. If you prize feel, colour, and lifetime satisfaction above all, choose honkaya. If you want an authentic look while keeping the cost down, shinkaya suits you well. Shinkaya is not a “lesser honkaya” — for many purposes it is a genuinely appealing choice.

FAQ

Are honkaya and shinkaya the same tree?

No. Honkaya is the finest board material, from the torreya (kaya). Shinkaya is a trade name for a different, similar-looking wood (often spruce).

Is shinkaya a fake honkaya?

No. Shinkaya is a way to enjoy a look close to honkaya at a more approachable price. Trustworthy shops label the two separately.

Why is honkaya so expensive?

Because the tree grows slowly and good board timber is scarce — and because resilient feel, clear sound, and ageing beauty all come together in it.