History Shogi

boys playing shogi (18th century)



playing shogi in japan (ca. 1916–1918)



kōzō masuda (升田幸三) in 1952

from chess variant pages:

the world s first chess variant, chaturanga arose in india in approximately seventh century ad. there migrated both westward , northward, mutating along way. western branch became shatranj in arabia , orthodox chess in europe. northern branch became xiangqi in china , janggi in korea. sometime in 10th 12th centuries, chess crossed channel japan spawned number of interesting variants. 1 of these called small shogi . eventually, small shogi (though went through many forms) won out on larger variants , referred shogi . shogi in present form played in japan 16th century.

it not clear when chess brought japan. earliest accepted mention of shogi shin saru gakuki (新猿楽記) (1058–1064) fujiwara akihira. oldest archaeological evidence group of 16 shogi pieces excavated grounds of kōfuku-ji in nara prefecture. physically associated wooden tablet written on in sixth year of tenki (1058), pieces thought date period. these simple pieces cut writing plaque in same five-sided shape modern pieces, names of pieces written on them.

the dictionary of common folk culture, nichūreki (二中歴) (c. 1210–1221), collection based on 2 works shōchūreki (掌中歴) , kaichūreki (懐中歴), describes 2 forms of shogi, large (dai) shogi , small (shō) shogi. these called heian shogi (or heian small shogi) , heian dai shogi. heian small shogi version on modern shogi based, nichūreki states 1 wins if 1 s opponent reduced single king, indicating drops had not yet been introduced. according kōji shimizu, chief researcher @ archaeological institute of kashihara, nara prefecture, names of heian shogi pieces keep of chaturanga (general, elephant, horse, chariot , soldier), , add them 5 treasures of buddhism (jade, gold, silver, katsura tree, , incense).

around 13th century game of dai shogi developed, created increasing number of pieces in heian shogi, sho shogi, added rook, bishop, , drunken elephant dai shogi heian shogi. drunken elephant steps 1 square in direction except directly backward, , promotes prince, acts second king , must captured along original king other player win. around 15th century, rules of dai shogi simplified, creating game of chu shogi. chu shogi, parent dai shogi, contains many distinct pieces, such queen (identical western chess) , lion (which moves king, twice per turn, potentially being able capture twice, among other idiosyncracies). popularity of dai shogi waned in favour of chu shogi, until stopped being played commonly. chu shogi rivalled sho shogi in popularity until introduction of drops in latter, upon standard shogi became ascendant, although chu shogi still commonly played until world war ii, in kyoto. dai shogi less played, must have been remembered somewhat, depicted in woodcut kobayashi kiyochika around 1904 or 1905.

it thought rules of standard shogi fixed in 16th century, when drunken elephant removed set of pieces present in sho shogi. there no clear record of when drops introduced, however.

in edo period, shogi variants expanded: tenjiku shogi, dai dai shogi, maka dai dai shogi, tai shogi, , taikyoku shogi invented. thought these played limited extent, however. both standard shogi , go promoted tokugawa shogunate. in 1612, shogunate passed law giving endowments top shogi players (meijin (名人)). during reign of eighth shogun, tokugawa yoshimune, castle shogi tournaments held once year on 17th day of kannazuki, corresponding november 17, shogi day on modern calendar.

the title of meijin became hereditary in Ōhashi , itō families until fall of shogunate, when came passed recommendation. today title used winner of meijin-sen competition, first modern title match. around 1899, newspapers began publish records of shogi matches, , high-ranking players formed alliances aim of having games published. in 1909, shogi association (将棋同盟社) formed, , in 1924, tokyo shogi association (東京将棋連盟) formed. incarnation of modern japan shogi association (日本将棋連盟, nihon shōgi renmei), or jsa, , 1924 considered jsa date founded.

in 1935, meijin kinjirō sekine stepped down, , rank of meijin came awarded winner of meijin title match (名人戦, meijin-sen). yoshio kimura (木村義雄) became first meijin under system in 1937. start of shogi title matches (see titleholder system). after war other tournaments promoted title matches, culminating ryūō title match (竜王戦, ryūō-sen) in 1988 modern line-up of seven. 200 professional shogi players compete. each year, title holder defends title against challenger chosen knockout or round matches.

after second world war, scap (occupational government led us) tried eliminate feudal factors japanese society , shogi included in possible list of items banned along bushido (philosophy of samurai) , other things. reason banning shogi scap exceptional character board game seen in usage of captured pieces. scap insisted lead idea of prisoner abuse. kozo masuda, 1 of top professional shogi players, when summoned scap headquarters investigation, criticized such understanding of shogi , insisted not shogi western chess potentially contains idea of prisoner abuse because kills pieces of opponent while shogi rather democratic giving prisoners chance game. masuda said chess contradicts ideal of gender equality in western society because king shields behind queen , runs away. masuda’s assertion said have led exemption of shogi list of items banned.

the closest cousin of shogi in chaturanga family makruk of thailand. not similarity in distribution , movements of pieces names of shogi pieces suggest intimacy between shogi , makruk buddhist symbolism (gold, silver, cassia , incense), not recognized in chinese chess @ all. in fact, chinese chess , east asian variants far remoter relatives makruk. though variants of chaturanga more similar shogi , makruk known have been played in tang dynasty china, thought have been extinguished in song dynasty china , in east asia except in japan owing popularity of chinese chess.