What tools do you need for chess? Necessities and things that can enhance the atmosphere of the game.

Shogi, a traditional Japanese game of chess, is beautiful even from the tools used in the game. When you see a professional player playing Shogi, you may think, "I want to play Shogi with real Shogi tools too! You may feel a longing to play Shogi with authentic tools. In this article, we will introduce tools necessary for playing Shogi and tools that enhance the atmosphere of a game. If you are just starting to play Shogi or if you want to enjoy the hobby even more, please read this article for reference.

Essential Shogi Equipment

If you’re just starting to play shogi, what equipment should you get first? While affordable shogi sets are widely available these days, some of you may want to use authentic, high-quality equipment to fully enjoy the hobby. First, let’s take a look at the essential equipment for playing shogi.

Shogi Board

A shogi board is a board on which shogi pieces are placed, featuring a 9×9 grid of 81 squares arranged symmetrically in all directions. The longer side of the grid is the vertical axis, and the shorter side is the horizontal axis. The price range of commercially available shogi boards varies greatly depending on the material and type. Here, we list the main types of shogi boards, so please use this as a reference when choosing one.

 

・Shogi Board with Legs

This type of shogi board has a table-like shape with legs at each corner and is designed to be placed on a tatami floor. Boards made from high-quality wood, thick boards, and those crafted from a single slab of wood tend to be more expensive. Since they are generally high-priced, they are recommended for those who want to enjoy shogi in earnest.

 

・Tabletop Shogi Boards

This type of shogi board has no legs and is designed to be placed directly on a desk. Since it can be used outside of traditional Japanese-style rooms, it’s well-suited to modern lifestyles centered around desks and chairs. Additionally, because they are more affordable than shogi boards with legs, they’re recommended for those who want to start playing shogi casually.

 

・Folding Shogi Boards

These compact shogi boards fold in half, making them convenient to carry. Many are made of plastic and are available at reasonable prices. Some models feature built-in storage for the pieces, while others come as a set with magnetic pieces. They are recommended for those looking for a lightweight shogi board, such as when playing on the go.

Shogi Pieces

There are eight types of shogi pieces, and a total of 40 are used in a game. There is a wide variety of products available, including pieces made from high-quality wood and those featuring beautiful calligraphy.It’s a great way to enjoy a game with carefully selected pieces. On the other hand, there are also training sets designed for beginners, with the direction each piece can move indicated on each piece. If you’re just starting out with shogi, using a training set to learn the rules is a good place to start.

Items that can enhance the atmosphere of a shogi game

When playing a game of shogi, having the following items on hand can help create an even more immersive atmosphere. If you’d like to enjoy shogi at home, why not try adding these to your essential equipment? Next, we’ll introduce some recommended items for those who want to get even more out of their games.

Komadai

This is a stand used to place pieces captured from your opponent. In shogi, there is a rule that captured pieces must be placed where your opponent can see them. Having a piece stand can help create the unique atmosphere of shogi. There are various types of piece stands, including those with legs and those designed for use on a tabletop.The key is to choose a piece stand that is at a height where your opponent can easily see it, and that is slightly lower than the shogi board.

Chess clock

This is a clock that displays the time remaining for both players during a game. It features a timer function where the hands move or stop each time a button is pressed, measuring the time consumed with each move. While a stopwatch can be used as a substitute, having a dedicated clock allows you to fully experience the tension of the game.

Piece Pouch and Piece Box

These are a bag and a box for storing shogi pieces. You place the shogi pieces in the bag, and then put the bag inside the box. Since there are many different patterns for the bag and materials for the box, why not look for a design you like?

Armrests (Kyosoku)

These are armrests designed to lean on while seated. They make it more comfortable to play shogi while sitting on the floor in a traditional Japanese-style room. During games that require intense concentration, some professional shogi players even lean on the armrests as they ponder their next move.

folding fan

Many professional shogi players wear traditional Japanese attire when competing. You’ve probably seen players in kimono holding folding fan during a match.In shogi, a game with a long tradition in Japan, folding fan has been a staple accessory for players since ancient times. Players use folding fan not only to fan themselves and stay cool, but also in various ways to enhance their concentration—such as keeping rhythm with the sound of opening and closing the fan or gripping it tightly. Why not try facing a match folding fan in one hand, just like a professional shogi player?

 

Ibasen, a long-established folding fan, carries a diverse folding fan that are perfect for shogi matches. With a wide variety of folding fan and designs available, you’re sure to find a charming fan worthy of a professional player’s collection. If you’re looking for folding fan to enhance the atmosphere of your shogi matches, be sure to visit Ibasen online shop.

Click here for shogi fans

[Personalisation only]Shogi Fan
[Personalisation only]Shogi Fan
[Personalisation only]Shogi Fan
¥9,570
¥9,570
Sold Out
This is a Shogi fan used in Shogi (Japanese chess). 8"5", 15cm, white bamboo, in a box Read More
folding fan (sensu)

Expand your shogi collection to make your games even more fun!

In this article, we’ve introduced some shogi equipment. Basically, all you need to play shogi is a board and pieces. However, by choosing high-quality boards and pieces, or adding accessories like a piece stand and a game clock, you can truly immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of shogi.To get even more enjoyment out of shogi as a hobby, why not try gathering a set of carefully selected equipment?