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Entry level Shogi set
captbirdseye (700) 2019-02-14 19:41
I recently purchased one of these sets: 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002ACUC4A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is really rather well made, though basic. It is all wood, and after the application of a little oil polish, it will look rather nice.

I wouldn't normally entertain a Shogi set with modified ('westernised') pieces, but this is OK. It is presumably a teaching set for Japanese children. It has the kanji in the centre of the (large-ish) pieces, and the moves sensibly illustrated - as shown in the illustrations. It even has the two forms of the King, which sometimes doesn't happen with really low-end sets. Frankly, it's the only modified set I've seen in 50 years which is acceptable.

I also got a set of basic wooden Tori Shogi pieces from the same supplier - which is a bonus - Tori Shogi pieces are pretty hard to come by:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000BFMHKK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Later edit: There are other suppliers, mostly also despatching from Japan, but some from elsewhere. If you go for this, pick your supplier with care. I paid just over £30 for this item. Some (a very few) suppliers are over-charging for the same item. There is one bunch of pirates in the U.S.A. who are charging over £90 - 3x the price I paid!!!!!!


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3: captbirdseye (700) 2019-02-17 16:22 (Edited at 2019-02-17 18:17)
> I feel like that set is a little too cluttered. 

It's a model of clarity when compared with some of the disastrous 'alternative' piece sets which I've seen touted over the last 50 years.

> What's the goal for your purchase? Are you trying to teach someone else shogi, or are you trying to learn 
> shogi yourself?

It's merely an 'interesting' addition to my existing small collection of seven traditional Shogi sets. I do plan to use it at Shogi demonstrations though, to see what folks' reaction is.

> If it's the former, I think Hidetchi's internalized pieces are very intuitive and stylish for people to 
> pick up (you can buy it on Nekomado). 

The internationalized pieces? I've seen 'em. No thank you - I don't do 'westernised' pieces.

> I have Nintendo's wooden folding board, which you can find on Amazon, although I bought it by myself
> on a vacation to Tokyo, before knowing that fact.

I already have two folding boards.
2: captbirdseye (700) 2019-02-17 16:22 (Edited at 2019-02-17 17:36)
Deleted because I stupidly entered a duplicate post!
1: CouchTomato (1053) 2019-02-17 04:01
I feel like that set is a little too cluttered. What's the goal for your purchase? Are you trying to teach someone else shogi, or are you trying to learn shogi yourself? If it's the former, I think Hidetchi's internalized pieces are very intuitive and stylish for people to pick up (you can buy it on Nekomado). 

On the other hand, if you're learning just by yourself, then a normal 1 or 2 kanji set would be a better return on investment, because you know you'd have the dedication to learn the kanji necessary to play the game.

I have both sets and am happy with both -- and for now I have Nintendo's wooden folding board, which you can find on Amazon, although I bought it by myself on a vacation to Tokyo, before knowing that fact.

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