A WORK SHAPED BY MEANING
Shōjin-Chess is a newly evolved form of chess — introducing new game mechanics and a symbolic meaning. To honor the vision behind the game, its creator wanted a first original set, the ORIGINAL JAPANESE SHO’JIN CHESS PREMIUM ART PIECE to be done through Japanese style craftsmanship. 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’s a symbol of conflict, culture, and myth.
From the very beginning, it was clear that this project was about more than craftsmanship — it was about honoring a deeper vision: to give form to the values at the heart of Shōjin. 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.
Each detail of Shōjin is intentional. The symbols that are carved into each piece represent mythology, nature, and virtue. The intention while crafting this was a stage for strategic thought and a meditation on values like discipline, humility, and self-mastery.
The Original Premium Shojin-Chess Sets are a highly limited edition. They represent a game that is an artwork in itself, handcrafted with precision, symbolism, and dedication to tradition.
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.
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, symbolizing the four sacred creatures from East Asian mythology, each representing one cardinal direction.
Each Shōjin piece was designed and individually hand-carved by Asaya and the help of Master sculptor Ishihara Yoshisada and Matsuzaki Hikari. Each 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 of the game's tactical and spiritual depth.
In Shōjin-Chess, every piece holds two identities: With a turn, the piece transforms: pawns become samurai, kings become puppet masters, bishops change into ninjas. The rotation brings new powers and new roles – this is what seperates Shojin-Chess from classical chess. Shōjin is a game of transformation — of the pieces, of the mind, of the self, and the design of the Original Premium Set is made to represent this.
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 style woodcarving. In shaping this work, Asaya himself was reshaped and grew in the ideals that this game represents.
Limited to a highly exclusive number worldwide, the ORIGINAL JAPANESE SHO’JIN 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 — and is meant to inspire and invite contemplation.
