<p>One nice property of half-convex stones is that there are two distinct ways to put them on the board. This is often used to play out variations.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-11-11T12:40:34.820Z
2011-11-11T12:40:34.820Z
CodesInChaos
<p>From the manufacturing standpoint, a few thousand years ago it was easier to produce stones that were convex on both sides. Before the Tang dynasty, because of this, all the stones were convex on both sides (just like ishi stones).</p>

<p>During the Ming dynasty, crafting skills progressed and stones could be shaped with 1 flat side and 1 convex (good for stability).</p>

<p>Japan imported the game of Go during the Tang dynasty (at that time the stones were all convex on both sides) and since Japanese are attached to their traditions, it stayed like this until now. (Which doesn't mean that the quality is inferior, it's just to stick with the tradition.)</p>

<p>With the years it also became fashionable.</p>

<p>For some people, Japanese stones make a better sound on the board, are easier to manipulate or are just pleasing to the eye. For others, Chinese stones are more stable and can be used on both sides to make temporary moves.</p>

<p>source: <a href="http://zhidao.baidu.com/question/265925385.html" rel="nofollow">http://zhidao.baidu.com/question/265925385.html</a></p>

<p>PS: To answer your last question, the use of those stones is absolutely not in decline.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-26T21:19:31.760Z
@mafu: Is that link anything to do with Stack Exchange? It looks totally different and apparently redirects to https://www.golinks.io/signin.php?loggedout&redirect=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.golinks.io%252Fquestions%252F160 !
PJTraill
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-27T14:00:42.573Z
@PJTraill At the time of writing, it directed to another question on the same website. I don't know why it now directs to an external website.
mafu
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-27T14:20:57.433Z
I've just asked about it in MSO https://meta.stackexchange.com/q/347087/39590
mafu
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-27T20:19:09.373Z
@mafu: Do you still know what your follow-up question was? Something still in this community? (Number 160 here is something totally different!)
PJTraill
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-29T15:56:05.703Z
@PJTraill I can't recall at all. If I'm not mistaken, only a few of the best questions were selected to be merged into BGSE.
mafu
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-11-11T14:28:02.597Z
Nice explanation. Lead me to a followup question: http://go.stackexchange.com/questions/160
mafu
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-11-11T13:33:56.047Z
2012-10-26T08:48:33.353Z
2012-10-26T08:48:33.353Z
龚元程
<p>Unlike regular ishi that come in full-convex shape, Chinese stones are flat on one side. I found those stones difficult to work with, as they are not easy to pick up from the board. Granted, they lay more solid on get shifted out of place less easily.</p>

<p>Is this the only reason, though? Why do only Chinese people use this kind of stones? Is use of those stones in decline, possibly?</p>

<go><components>
Why are Chinese stones half-convex?
mafu
# Why are Chinese stones half-convex?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2011-11-11)

Unlike regular ishi that come in full-convex shape, Chinese stones are flat on one side. I found those stones difficult to work with, as they are not easy to pick up from the board. Granted, they lay more solid on get shifted out of place less easily.

Is this the only reason, though? Why do only Chinese people use this kind of stones? Is use of those stones in decline, possibly?

**Tags:** go, components


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2011-11-11. Score: 15 | Accepted answer

From the manufacturing standpoint, a few thousand years ago it was easier to produce stones that were convex on both sides. Before the Tang dynasty, because of this, all the stones were convex on both sides (just like ishi stones).

During the Ming dynasty, crafting skills progressed and stones could be shaped with 1 flat side and 1 convex (good for stability).

Japan imported the game of Go during the Tang dynasty (at that time the stones were all convex on both sides) and since Japanese are attached to their traditions, it stayed like this until now. (Which doesn't mean that the quality is inferior, it's just to stick with the tradition.)

With the years it also became fashionable.

For some people, Japanese stones make a better sound on the board, are easier to manipulate or are just pleasing to the eye. For others, Chinese stones are more stable and can be used on both sides to make temporary moves.

source: <http://zhidao.baidu.com/question/265925385.html>

PS: To answer your last question, the use of those stones is absolutely not in decline.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Nice explanation. Lead me to a followup question: http://go.stackexchange.com/questions/160  
> **username_3**: @username_0: Is that link anything to do with Stack Exchange? It looks totally different and apparently redirects to https://www.golinks.io/signin.php?loggedout&redirect=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.golinks.io%252Fquestions%252F160 !  
> **username_0**: @username_3 At the time of writing, it directed to another question on the same website. I don't know why it now directs to an external website.  
> **username_0**: I've just asked about it in MSO https://meta.stackexchange.com/q/347087/39590  
> **username_3**: @username_0: Do you still know what your follow-up question was? Something still in this community? (Number 160 here is something totally different!)  
> **username_0**: @username_3 I can't recall at all. If I'm not mistaken, only a few of the best questions were selected to be merged into BGSE.  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2011-11-11. Score: 11

One nice property of half-convex stones is that there are two distinct ways to put them on the board. This is often used to play out variations.


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