A Work Shaped by Meaning
Strategy, myth, and Japanese craftsmanship —
united in a single, handcarved art piece.
The Commission
Shōjin Chess is a newly evolved form of chess — introducing new game mechanics and symbolic meaning. To honor the vision behind the game, its creator wanted the first original set to be crafted through Japanese artisanship. In collaboration with Asaya, and under his artistic direction, a team of master artisans from Inami, Japan brought the piece to life.
Over the course of five months, every element was handcrafted: the game board, the cabinet, and each of the carved figures. The result is a physical object that feels like more than a game — it is a symbol of conflict, culture, and myth.
Artistic Direction
From the very beginning, this project was about more than craftsmanship — it was about honoring a deeper vision. Self-discipline, self-improvement, dedication, and humility: these are not only the principles the game is built upon, but also the mindset that guided its creation.
Asaya led the artistic direction — designing each piece, coordinating the overall structure, and working alongside master craftsmen in Inami. The process demanded not just technical precision, but a deep sensitivity to symbolism, balance, and meaning, bringing to life a world where form follows philosophy.
The Pinnacle of Bespoke
Each detail of Shōjin is intentional. The symbols carved into every piece represent mythology, nature, and virtue. The set was conceived not merely as a game, but as a stage for strategic thought and a meditation on values like discipline, humility, and self-mastery.
The Original Premium Shōjin Chess Sets are a highly limited edition — each one an artwork in itself, handcrafted with precision, symbolism, and dedication to tradition.
The Elements
From Vision to Form
Before the first carving began, there was a vision — and it started with a sketch. Every detail in Shōjin Chess was designed to embody meaning: transformation, discipline, harmony. The layout, symbols, and silhouettes of each piece were first drawn by hand. This early stage was not just planning — it was already part of the craft.
Japanese Torreya · African Mahogany
Crafted from Japanese Torreya and African Mahogany by Master Carpenter Maeda Muneyuki, the Shōjin board is the foundation of play. The relief carvings on all four sides of the cabinet, by Master Carver Tsuchida Nobuhisa, depict a dragon, phoenix, tiger, and turtle — the four sacred creatures of East Asian mythology, each representing one cardinal direction.
32 Individual Sculptures
Each Shōjin piece was designed and individually hand-carved by Asaya, with the help of Master Sculptor Ishihara Yoshisada and Matsuzaki Hikari. Every motif is chosen with intention, so that each piece tells a story on its own. Dragons, samurai, tigers, phoenixes, and more — drawn from mythology and history to express the game's tactical and spiritual depth.
A Game of Transformation
In Shōjin Chess, every piece holds two identities. With a turn, pawns become samurai, kings become puppet masters, bishops transform into ninjas. This rotation brings new powers and new roles — it is what separates Shōjin from classical chess. The game is one of transformation: of the pieces, of the mind, of the self. The design of the Original Premium Set is made to embody this.
Philosophy in Wood
To play Shōjin is to engage with themes of identity, discipline, and harmony. The game invites focus, humility, and dedication — qualities also required in the centuries-old craft of Japanese woodcarving. In shaping this work, Asaya himself was reshaped — growing into the ideals that the game represents.
Highly Limited Edition
Limited to a highly exclusive number worldwide, the Original Japanese Shōjin Chess Premium Art Piece is not a product — it is a symbol. A philosophical object. A fusion of Japanese craftsmanship and global vision. Commissioned by the founder of Shōjin Chess, it stands as a milestone in the meeting of tradition and invention — meant to inspire and invite contemplation.
The Collection
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