#3 History of 将棋(Shogi)! Part3

　The End of the Samurai Era and the Modernisation of Japan.　
　Since 1868, the divisions between eras in Japan have been represented by names such as Meiji (明治), Taisho (大正), Showa (昭和), Heisei (平成), and Reiwa (令和). These era names are known as Gen-go (元号). Gen-go functions similarly to the Western calendar, marking different periods in history. I’ll provide more details about the Gen-go in a future article.

　Starting from the Meiji era, each emperor is assigned one Gen-go. Now, let's explore the development of Shogi from the Meiji era onwards.

Meiji to Taisho (1867~1926)

What Will Happen to the Shogi World?

　With the overthrow of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the establishment of a new government, the Shogi world lost its economic base and authority, leaving it adrift. The Shogi community tried to revive interest by publishing a Shogi magazine, but it didn't last long.

Newspaper Shogi Regains Popularity

　In 1881 (Meiji 14), Shogi was published in newspapers for the first time, thanks to the efforts and connections of the Shogi community. They began to publish Tsume Shogi puzzles and professional games, as mentioned in Part 2 of this article.

　Publishing in newspapers, which were read nationwide, increased familiarity with Shogi players and sparked greater interest in the game. This marked a major turning point, significantly boosting Shogi's popularity.

Sakata Sankichi (阪田三吉): The Famous Player Immortalised in Drama and Song

　Sakata Sankichi is a name familiar to Japanese people in their 40s, 50s, or older. He was a phenomenal Shogi player in Osaka during his time. His encounter with the 13th Meijin, Sekine Kinjiro (関根金次郎), and his lifelong dedication to Shogi in a bid to defeat him, make for an intriguing story.

　Sakata Sankichi travelled to Tokyo to challenge the Meijin. His determination is captured in the song "Osho," which reflects his resolve to "definitely win". It’s remarkable that his fame grew to the extent that he was immortalised in a song. You can listen to the song about him, "Osho," through the following link.

Showa(1926~1989)

　During this period, newspapers became significant sponsors of Shogi. They began organising various tournaments and paying players substantial fees for each game. Radio broadcasts also played a crucial role, helping the game's popularity to soar rapidly.

Birth of Professional Training Institutions

　In 1928, professionals, academics, and businesspeople who wanted to see Shogi thrive founded an institution dedicated to training professional players. Even today, aspiring Shogi players become professionals through this organisation.

　There is an age limit for the training association. If you do not qualify as a professional (4-dan) by the age of 26, you are expelled from the association. Although there are a few other routes to becoming a professional, they are quite limited.

　Just like the competitive educational environments in places such as Singapore and Tokyo, aspiring Shogi players are expected to strive for professionalism from an early age. It’s a challenging journey.

Entering the Dog-Eat-Dog Era

　In Part 2, I introduced the title "Meijin (名人)," a prestigious title passed down from generation to generation since the Edo period's first master, Ohashi Soukei. Once held, the title was retained for life, symbolising absolute power. However, during the Showa period, the system underwent a significant change: the title of Meijin could now be contested and won based on merit.
　
　With the increase in average life expectancy, it became clear that if a master who had passed his prime continued to hold the title indefinitely, talented players of the time would never have the opportunity to claim it. However, there was also a sense of guilt about breaking tradition and dethroning a living Meijin. This was a major decision for the Shogi community.
　
　Today, the system is akin to boxing titles, where a challenger faces the titleholder, and the winner claims the title. This modern approach ensures that the title of Meijin is always held by the best player of the era.

Heisei to Reiwa (1989-present)

The Rise of Computerised Shogi

　Computers began playing Shogi in the 1970s. In the early days, they were like novices, making nonsensical moves and taking a long time to think. However, a major change occurred during the Heisei era. The world chess champion was defeated by IBM's supercomputer Deep Blue, and from the 2000s onwards, even professional Shogi players began to lose to computers.

　The rise of computers isn't all bad. Previously, even professionals believed that early-game strategy in Shogi wasn't very significant, but AI has completely changed this perspective. Additionally, with online Shogi, amateurs can now gain valuable practical experience by playing against high-level opponents.

The Genius Among Geniuses

　Enter Fujii Sota (藤井聡太), who became a professional at just 14 years and 2 months old. Now 21, he holds the record for the youngest professional Shogi player. There's probably no Japanese child who doesn't know his name! Fujii has won all eight Shogi titles and excels in Tsume Shogi. His endgame moves often align perfectly with the best moves suggested by AI.

　Fujii is known for his humble and quiet personality, endearing him to the Japanese public. After a game, players typically review the match, but Fujii's voice is so soft that it's often inaudible on TV. His charm makes him fascinating to watch, even for those unfamiliar with Shogi. I look forward to continuing to support him.

Summary

　Apologies for my enthusiasm in giving an overview of the history of Shogi. It's not that I want to turn you into a Shogi fan, but rather, I want you to know that Shogi is still a beloved and popular game in Japan. If you ever get the chance to talk to a Japanese person, I'd be thrilled if you have a bit of knowledge about Shogi and can connect with them over the game. Finally, in Part 4, I’d like to introduce some Japanese words related to Shogi.

Thank you for reading!