1. Biography
Hon'inbō Shugen's life in the Go world was characterized by two distinct periods of leadership within the Hon'inbō house, often necessitated by external pressures and internal disputes. He navigated the challenges of a rapidly changing era for Go, from the decline of traditional patronage to complex succession struggles.
1.1. Early Life and Family
Born in 1854 (Ansei 1) with the original name Tsuchiya Hyakusaburō (土屋百三郎Japanese), Hon'inbō Shugen was the third son of the 14th Hon'inbō, Hon'inbō Shuwa. His posthumous Buddhist name was Nichizon (日存Japanese). Shugen's family had a continued connection to Go through his descendants. His fourth son, Tsuchiya Ippei, also became a professional Go player and was considered highly promising, though he tragically died at the age of 19. Shugen's grandson, Tsuchiya Hanshichi (the son of his eldest son, Mankichi), also pursued a career in Go, reaching the rank of 2-dan before his untimely death in 1952 at the age of 32.
1.2. First Succession as 16th Hon'inbō
The circumstances of Shugen's first succession as the 16th Hon'inbō in September 1879 (Meiji 12) highlight the precarious state of the Go world following the Meiji Restoration. The 15th Hon'inbō, Hon'inbō Shuetsu, Shuwa's eldest son, fell ill due to the stresses of the Go world's decline. Faced with this crisis, Shuwa's second son, Hon'inbō Shūei (who had inherited the Hayashi family headship), along with other disciples, attempted to bring in Murase Shūho, a powerful player and Shuwa's most capable disciple, to lead the Hon'inbō house. However, this effort was thwarted by the interference of Nakagawa Kamesaburo. Consequently, Shuetsu retired, and Hyakusaburō (Shugen) was chosen to succeed him as the 16th Hon'inbō Shugen. At the time of his succession, Shugen held the relatively low rank of 3-dan, which was considered unusual for a head of the prestigious Hon'inbō house and led to questions about his suitability.
Earlier in April of the same year, Shugen had participated in the establishment of the Hōensha organization, a new Go group formed to promote professional Go. However, he soon opposed Hōensha's disregard for the traditional authority of the Go houses. In response, he, along with Hon'inbō Shūei and Yasui San'ei, withdrew from Hōensha and stripped Hon'inbō disciples who remained members of Hōensha of their ranks. Despite these efforts, the traditional houses continued to decline as Hōensha gained prominence. To attempt a revival of the Hon'inbō house, Shugen eventually yielded the position to Shūei, who became the 17th Hon'inbō.
1.3. Period Between Successions
During the interval between his two terms as Hon'inbō, Shugen led a more relaxed life, indulging in sake. He became known as a "sake master" (酒仙shusenJapanese) and an "eccentric" (畸人kijinJapanese). In 1886 (Meiji 19), Shūei and Hōensha reconciled, leading to Shūho being welcomed as the 18th Hon'inbō. However, Shūho's death the following year led Shūei to reassume the Hon'inbō title as the 19th Hon'inbō. During this period, Shūei attained the rank of 8-dan and the title of Meijin, restoring the Hon'inbō house's prestige and even surpassing Hōensha in influence. Despite Shugen's official rank remaining at 4-dan, Shūei held his skill in high regard, describing him as "a jewel without blemish" and stating that he "reached the value of a 6-dan," even though Shugen primarily enjoyed his leisure time. Shugen also attended Shūei's Shisōkai (Four Elephants Club), a gathering of top Go players.
1.4. Second Succession as 20th Hon'inbō
Shugen's second succession as the 20th Hon'inbō in 1907 (Meiji 40) was a pivotal moment in the history of the Hon'inbō house. Following the death of the 19th Hon'inbō Shūei, a fierce dispute arose over his successor. One faction supported Tamura Hoshu (later Hon'inbō Shusai), who was recognized as the strongest player, while another faction, including Shūei's widow, championed Karigane Juniichi. In this tumultuous context, Shugen stepped in to mediate the situation. He temporarily assumed the title of the 20th Hon'inbō himself, serving as a transitional leader. The following year, in 1908, after the first anniversary of Shūei's death, Shugen transferred the Hon'inbō title to Tamura Hoshu, who then became the 21st Hon'inbō Shusai, thereby resolving the contentious succession dispute.
At the time of this second succession, Shugen was advised by those around him to be promoted to 6-dan. He famously agreed, stating that he "might as well be 6-dan for a day." Consequently, he was listed with the 6-dan rank in the *Jiji Shinpo* newspaper for a single day, marking a unique temporary promotion.
1.5. Later Life and Death
After abdicating the Hon'inbō title for the second time, Shugen adopted the name Tsuchiya Shugen. He continued to be involved in the Go world, albeit in a less prominent capacity. Hon'inbō Shugen passed away on September 5, 1917 (Taisho 6). His grave is located at Honmyōji temple in Toshima-ku, Tokyo.
2. Go Skill and Assessment
Hon'inbō Shugen's Go skill, though often overshadowed by more celebrated masters of his era, was highly regarded by his contemporaries, including the esteemed Hon'inbō Shūei. His playing style was noted for its unique characteristics and strategic depth.
2.1. Assessment of Skill
Despite his official rank of 4-dan for much of his active career, Hon'inbō Shugen's playing ability was consistently assessed as high. Hon'inbō Shūei, a legendary figure in Go, held Shugen's skill in great esteem. Shūei described Shugen's Go as "unusually skillful, rarely seen in ancient or modern times, and bright in form and shape" (from *Kimidan Go*). He specifically stated that Shugen, while officially a 4-dan, possessed the "value of a 6-dan," indicating a talent that far exceeded his nominal rank. This suggests that Shugen's strengths lay in his intuitive understanding of Go shapes and positions, allowing him to create beautiful and effective formations on the board.
2.2. Major Games and Achievements
Hon'inbō Shugen played numerous games throughout his career, particularly against prominent figures. After Hon'inbō Shusai entered the Hon'inbō Shūei's lineage, Shugen played many games against Shusai, leaving a significant record of their encounters. One notable achievement occurred during his second tenure as Hon'inbō, from 1907 to 1908. In the *Manchōhō* (万朝報ManchōhōJapanese) newspaper's Bōmon Katsugi-sen (Hon'inbō house winning streak competition), he achieved a remarkable seven-player winning streak, demonstrating his competitive prowess even at an advanced age and during a period of significant responsibility.
3. Legacy and Anecdotes
Hon'inbō Shugen's legacy extends beyond his individual Go skill, primarily resting on his crucial role in maintaining the Hon'inbō lineage during a period of profound transition. He is also famously associated with an anecdote that has entered the Japanese lexicon.
3.1. Unique Role in Hon'inbō Succession
Shugen's position as the 16th and 20th head of the Hon'inbō house was highly distinctive. He served as a "stopgap leader," a critical function during eras when the traditional Go world was reeling from the impact of the Meiji Restoration and facing severe internal leadership crises. His first succession in 1879 occurred when the house was at a low point due to declining interest in Go. His decision to abdicate to Shūei later helped stabilize the institution. His second succession in 1907 was even more critical, as he stepped in to mediate a bitter and potentially damaging succession dispute between Tamura Hoshu (later Shusai) and Karigane Juniichi. By temporarily assuming the headship and then gracefully transferring it to Tamura, Shugen successfully defused the conflict and ensured a smooth transition for the Hon'inbō lineage, preventing a potential schism. His actions underscore his deep commitment to the survival and integrity of the Hon'inbō house, even if it meant taking on a difficult and temporary leadership role.
3.2. "Ya-o-chō" Anecdote
Hon'inbō Shugen is notably linked to the origin of the Japanese term "Ya-o-chō" (八百長Japanese), which refers to a pre-arranged or fixed match, often implying deceit or a lack of genuine competition. The anecdote centers around a grocer named Yaoya Chōbei (八百屋の長兵衛Yaoya ChōbeiJapanese), who was a strong Go player but deliberately lost games to famous professionals like Shugen to maintain a humble image and avoid challenging their status. The story goes that at the opening of a Go salon near Ekōin temple, Shugen was invited as a guest. During a game against Chōbei, who was also present, Chōbei played a game that was genuinely competitive and even matched Shugen's skill. This unexpected display of strength exposed Chōbei's true abilities, revealing his previous intentional losses as a facade. This incident is said to have led to the term "Ya-o-chō" to describe a contest where the outcome is not based purely on skill but on prior arrangement or manipulation, linking Hon'inbō Shugen to a lasting piece of Japanese cultural lore.
4. External links
- [http://senseis.xmp.net/?Shugen Page at Sensei's Library]