幕末・武士の内職として奨励されたのが始まり。高級品はツゲの木を削り、漆で字を盛り上げて作られる。工程は、木地を造り、駒彫り、駒書きと分業化されているが、ほとんど手作りで、現在全国の95%を生産している。

The making of shogi-koma goes back to the end of the Edo period. It was then a side job for lower class warriors. For good quality shogi-koma or the wooden pieces for the game of shogi, boxwood is chosen, and lacquer is applied for the characters on each side. The process for shogi-koma can be roughly divided into three; the shaping of the pieces, carving, and lacquering of the characters. At present, Tendo makes about 95% of all shogi (Japanese chess) pieces in the country.

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