The Master of Go
Page 13
{6} Nozoki, a sort of tentative challenge.
{7} Though the rules are complex, the basic object of Renju is to
line up five Go stones in a row.
{8} The expression "star," hoshi, refers to any one of the nine points
marked on the board for handicap stones (of which there are none in this title match). Here it would indicate one of the corner stars, each three points diagonally in from a corner. An opening play on a star is bold and innovative. The kōmoku or "little eye," the most conservative point for an opening play, is two points and three points in from any corner. See the diagram on page 36.
{9} Wu Ch'ing-yiian, born in Fukien Province in 1917. He is far more famous under the Japanese version of his name, Go Sei-gen; but he will be called Wu throughout this translation. The game of Go and Goi the newspaper reporter seem to introduce quite enough possibilities for confusion without Go the player of Go.
{10} This is the storm so vividly described by Tanizaki in the second book of The Makioka Sisters.
{11} The match, in point of fact, took place in 1933.
{12} He did "jump," playing at S-7, the second point from that occupied by his own Black 87 (see diagram, page 151). To "swim" would have been to play at S-8, adjacent to Black 87.
{13} A version of Renju (see note 7) in which stones may be captured.
{14} From a schoolchildren's song.
{15} Boshi, two points in from an enemy position. Here White 50.
{16} Tsukiatari. White 52.
{17} In actual fact the seventh session was held on July 31, and the eighth on August 5
{18} The "lance" (Japanese kōsha, "fragrant chariot") moves forward, and forward only, any number of spaces, and so corresponds to no piece in the Western game. At a one-lance handicap, the stronger begins with one lance to his opponent's two.
{19} Respectively: Confucian and historian, 1780-1832; statesman, 1836-1888; and critic, essayist, and student of Chinese, 1823-1909.
{20} There are special celebrations upon entering the eighty-eighth year by the Oriental count, or on the eighty-eighth birthday by the Western.
{21} A variety of Renju in which, after a limited number of stones have been used on one part of the board, play must jump to another part.
{22} The puzzle requires an intricate rearrangement of rectangles in a very limited space.
{23} See note 13.
{24} The gold general and the silver general (kinshō and ginshō) are the king's bodyguards in Shōgi. Normally silver may, upon penetrating deep into enemy territory, be promoted to gold; but under certain circumstances the advantages are in having it remain silver.
{25} "Korean Shōgi" is played with pawns alone. Pieces are lost when caught between enemy pieces.
{26} There is only one rook per side even in a no-handicap game of Shōgi.
{27} Upon "promotion" it may move one space diagonally, in addition to the moves permitted the Western rook.
{28} See note 2
{29} Kyū, "Grades," precede Dan, "Ranks," and, unlike the latter, rise in descending numerical order. The foreigner thus has thirteen steps to go before he reaches the First Rank.
{30} 1558-1623.
{31} Nineteen squared, the number of points on the Go board.
{32} All Chinese. The first is a Confucian classic, the others are neo-Taoist.
{33} See note 6.
{34} The twelfth Honnimbō, 1787-1847.
{35} Which is to say, on completely equal terms. In no-handicap matches, Black is held to have the advantage, it will be apparent that "the invincible Master" has in fact been defeated, though only in practice matches.
{36} A president of Waseda University, member of the Diet, and Minister of Education; 1860-1938. "Hampō" is a nom de plume or "elegant sobriquet."
{37} Student of Chinese, 1830-1919.
{38} The hokkedaiko or "lotus drum" of the Nichiren (Lotus) Sect.
{39} Kō (Sanskrit halpa) is a Buddhist term for an enormous passage of time, the next thing to eternity. In Go it refers to a situation in which the two players could take and retake the same stones for all eternity without affecting the larger disposition of forces. To cut the exchange short, the player whose stone is first taken must play elsewhere on the board before returning to the scene.
{40} Though the kō situation is not present, Black has withdrawn from the scene of action as he would be required to were it present.
{41} Vacant points which, if properly placed, can keep a group of stones from being captured.
{42} In actual fact, the Master died just over a year after the end of the match.
{43} Hitōyogiri, "single section of bamboo." The couplet is from a children's song.
{44} Rice mixed with vegetables and, commonly, the meat of crustaceans.
{45} 1842-1913.
{46} See note 3.
{47} This makes little sense (see the diagram). Perhaps R-9 is meant.
{48} There are only one bishop and one rook per side in Shōgi.