Takatsuki City Distributes Locally Produced Wooden Shogi Pieces as Entrance Gifts for First Graders
Takatsuki City is promoting its 'City of Shogi' initiative by distributing locally produced wooden Shogi pieces to first-grade students as entrance gifts, aiming to deepen their understanding of traditional Japanese culture.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 02:18
- 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 18:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 7, 2026 at 18:54 (54 min after Collected)
Takatsuki City, promoting itself as the "City of Shogi," has been distributing Shogi pieces crafted from the city's fallen trees and other local timber to first-grade students in municipal elementary schools since fiscal year 2022. This initiative aims to provide an opportunity to become familiar with Shogi, a game deeply intertwined with the city's history, and to deepen understanding of Japan's ancient traditional culture. On April 7, 2024 (Tuesday), new first-graders receiving the Shogi pieces at their elementary school entrance ceremonies showed happy smiles.
The city has a deep connection with Shogi, evidenced by the numerous Komagoto (Shogi pieces) from the Edo period excavated from the former site of Takatsuki Castle's Ninomaru (inner circle), which was once surrounded by samurai residences. Currently, the Kansai Shogi Hall, known as the 'Western Sacred Ground' of the Shogi world, is located here, serving as a hub for disseminating Shogi culture. Furthermore, the city is actively creating an environment where Shogi culture can be felt everywhere, such as by operating city bus vehicles with Shogi-themedラッピング (wrapping), installing Shogi-designed mailboxes, manhole covers, and benches, and decorating the platform of JR Takatsuki Station, the nearest station to the Kansai Shogi Hall, and its surrounding areas.
On April 7, 2024 (Tuesday), entrance ceremonies were held simultaneously at municipal elementary schools. Approximately 2,600 new first-graders received Shogi pieces made from the city's fallen timber, along with their school supplies.
At Municipal Takatsuki Elementary School, children who received the distributed Shogi pieces opened the boxes, picked up the pieces, and looked at their shapes and characters with great interest. A first-grader who received a Shogi piece smiled and said, "I want to play Shogi soon," expressing anticipation for the upcoming school life and a growing interest in Shogi.
Moving forward, each school plans to utilize the distributed Shogi pieces by holding outreach classes by professional players starting this autumn. Additionally, in conjunction with "Mokuiku" (forest and wood education) where children learn the importance of timber and nature, the city will promote initiatives to deepen their understanding of Shogi's charm and traditional culture.
The city has a deep connection with Shogi, evidenced by the numerous Komagoto (Shogi pieces) from the Edo period excavated from the former site of Takatsuki Castle's Ninomaru (inner circle), which was once surrounded by samurai residences. Currently, the Kansai Shogi Hall, known as the 'Western Sacred Ground' of the Shogi world, is located here, serving as a hub for disseminating Shogi culture. Furthermore, the city is actively creating an environment where Shogi culture can be felt everywhere, such as by operating city bus vehicles with Shogi-themedラッピング (wrapping), installing Shogi-designed mailboxes, manhole covers, and benches, and decorating the platform of JR Takatsuki Station, the nearest station to the Kansai Shogi Hall, and its surrounding areas.
On April 7, 2024 (Tuesday), entrance ceremonies were held simultaneously at municipal elementary schools. Approximately 2,600 new first-graders received Shogi pieces made from the city's fallen timber, along with their school supplies.
At Municipal Takatsuki Elementary School, children who received the distributed Shogi pieces opened the boxes, picked up the pieces, and looked at their shapes and characters with great interest. A first-grader who received a Shogi piece smiled and said, "I want to play Shogi soon," expressing anticipation for the upcoming school life and a growing interest in Shogi.
Moving forward, each school plans to utilize the distributed Shogi pieces by holding outreach classes by professional players starting this autumn. Additionally, in conjunction with "Mokuiku" (forest and wood education) where children learn the importance of timber and nature, the city will promote initiatives to deepen their understanding of Shogi's charm and traditional culture.
FAQ
What is the purpose of Takatsuki City distributing Shogi pieces?
To foster an interest in Shogi and deepen understanding of traditional Japanese culture.
What kind of Shogi pieces are distributed?
They are made from local timber, such as fallen trees within Takatsuki City.
Are there any future initiatives related to Shogi?
Yes, outreach classes by professional players are planned for this autumn onwards.