SOLID WALNUT & HOKKAIDO BIRCH · UNDYED, GRAIN-TRUE FINISH
01 A curved board that catches light differently with every move.
02 Walnut and Hokkaido birch, undyed, for true black and white.
03 Grand Prix winner, Tokyo International Gift Show, 2025.
A classic strategy game, remade in solid wood
Wooden Reversi plays by the same rules as the game most widely known internationally as Othello: two players take turns placing black and white pieces on an 8×8 grid, flipping the opponent's pieces whenever they're trapped between two of your own. The player with more pieces on the board when no more moves remain wins. It's simple to learn in a few minutes and stays interesting for years — which is part of why it has endured as a two-player classic worldwide.
A board shaped for the way you actually play
The board's surface combines a gentle curve with a sharply cut grid, so the same piece of wood reads differently depending on the light and angle you're looking from. Each shallow square is recessed just enough to seat a piece securely, which keeps pieces from sliding out of place as you reach across the board to flip a run of them — a small detail that makes for faster, cleaner play.
Two woods, no dye
Instead of painting the pieces black and white, Wooden Reversi uses two different woods — walnut for the dark pieces, Hokkaido birch for the light — so the color comes entirely from the wood itself. Because no two pieces of solid wood are identical, every piece carries its own grain, meaning the board looks a little different from one game to the next. Each piece is turned and finished individually by hand, roughly 3.2cm across — large enough to pick up and flip with a single motion.
Recognized by both judges and players
At the Tokyo International Gift Show in autumn 2025, Wooden Reversi won the Grand Prix at the 18th LIFE×DESIGN Award — chosen by a panel of judges together with a public vote, out of roughly 160 items entered. It was the top vote-getter by a clear margin, recognized as much for how it looks left out on a table as for how it plays.
Fifty years of small-object woodwork in Asahikawa
Wooden Reversi is made by SASAKI, a wood-craft manufacturer founded in 1976 in Asahikawa, Hokkaido — a city long known as one of Japan's centers for furniture and wood-product making. SASAKI marked its 50th year in business in 2026. The company specializes in small wooden objects rather than large furniture, a category that calls for the fine handwork of an artisan alongside the precision needed to make many pieces consistently.
Designed by Tadahito Ishibashi
The board's soft curves and precise grid come from designer Tadahito Ishibashi, who went independent in 2005 after working as an in-house designer for a consumer electronics maker. His work has been recognized with multiple Japanese design awards, including the Good Design Award.
Specifications
Board: W 13.0 × D 13.0 × H 1.1 in (330 × 330 × 28 mm)
Piece case: W 13.0 × D 1.9 × H 1.8 in (330 × 47 × 45.5 mm)
Material: Solid wood — walnut (dark pieces) and Hokkaido-grown birch (light pieces)
Finish: Urethane coating
Recommended age: 6 and up
Made in Japan
Shipping
Ships within 2 weeks · Shipping cost included in price
Care
Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth; avoid soaking the wood or using harsh cleaners. Keep out of direct sunlight for long periods, as it can gradually fade the wood tone. As a natural, undyed material, grain and color will vary slightly from piece to piece and board to board — this variation is what gives each set its own character.
Note
This item shares inventory with SASAKI's own store. On rare occasions a set may sell out between your order and fulfillment; if that happens, we will contact you by email and cancel that portion of your order. This set includes small, loose pieces — please keep out of reach of young children under the recommended age.
