austraLasia #1893
Japanese past
pupil becomes 18th Chess/Shogi 'Grand master for
life'
TOKYO: 3rd July
2007 -- Moriuchi Toshiyuki, 36 years of age and past pupil of the Salesian
school at Yokohama, has just become the 18th 'Grand Master for Life' of Japan's
favourite version of what the rest of the world calls Chess. In Japan, the
version of chess much preferred is known as Shogi. Moriuchi, who
returns annually to his old school to visit teachers and friends, won his title
on 29th June 2007. Being the 18th Grand Master for Life takes on huge
importance when we know that Shogi began around 1612 at the time of the Tokugawa
Shogunate. There had been, until 28th June this year, only 17 Grand
Masters for Life!
The number of people thought to know the
rules of Shogi in Japan is considered to be around 10 million, while those who
regularly play it are more than 100,000. The title most normally sought
after, and achievable for some, is that of Meiji or Grand Master, someone
who achieves the best of 7 games over a range of tournaments (usually 15 of
them) in a year. Only those who can lay claim to the title of Meiji five
times can be called Eisei Meijin or Grand Master for
Life. Moriuchi has sought his title for many years.
During the '90s he was known as the 'uncrowned emperor' while that 5th title
eluded him.
'I am happy about the title' says Moriuchi. 'I
am thankful that I kept at it despite the difficulties'. It seems that the
perseverance he learned during his school years in Yokohama has paid
off!
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