Ōta Yūzo

2.1. Childhood and Family

Born in 1807 in Edo, Ōta Yūzō's original birth name was Kawahara Unosuke (川原 卯之助_{Kawahara Unosuke}^Japanese). His father was a merchant in Edo; sources identify his family as a merchant house in Yokoyama-cho or a thread shop called Chōjiya in Honmachi. Throughout his life, he underwent several name changes, including Ōta Unosuke and Ōta Ryosuke, before finally settling on Ōta Yūzō. He also adopted the Go pseudonym Isekian Rankō (一石庵爛柯_{Issekian Rankō}^Japanese).

2.2. Education and Early Career

Ōta Yūzō began his Go education at a young age, entering the Yasui house as a disciple of the seventh head, Yasui Senkaku Senchi. He developed his skills in competition with his peer, Yasui Sanchi (Toshitetsu), who was three years his junior. Further solidifying his ties to the Yasui house, he married the second daughter of the eighth head, Yasui Chitoku Senchi. Between 1833 and 1838, Ōta embarked on extensive playing tours across Japan, engaging in matches in cities such as Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and various locations throughout Kyushu. The records of his games from his youth up to this period were later compiled and published in two volumes as `Seisei Shudan` (西征手談_{Seisei Shudan}^Japanese) between 1839 and 1841.

3.1. Professional Standing and Promotion

Ōta Yūzō formally affiliated with the Yasui house and steadily climbed the professional ranks. He was promoted to 6 dan in 1838. A significant milestone in his career came on December 24, 1848, when he achieved the rank of 7 dan, alongside Itō Shōwa and Hayashi Hakuei Monnyū. This promotion was notably unique for its time. Traditionally, attaining the 7 dan rank required a Go player to shave their head and participate in the official Castle games (御城碁_Oshirogo^Japanese), which also granted them official stipends. However, Ōta, known for his handsome appearance, reportedly disliked the idea of shaving his head. He appealed against this policy, arguing for his promotion based solely on his exceptional skill. Recognizing his overwhelming strength, which was considered far superior to his rivals, the Go academy, after deliberation, granted him the 7 dan rank without requiring him to compete in the Castle games or shave his head. This was an unprecedented decision, marking the first time such an exception was made in the history of professional Go.

3.2. Playing Style and Characteristics

Ōta Yūzō was renowned for his distinctive and brilliant playing style, often described as energetic, flexible, and elegant (気合いがよく華麗な碁_{kiai ga yoku karei na go}^Japanese). He frequently employed unconventional opening moves such as `takamoku` (high points) and `mezukushi` (off-center points), which allowed for dynamic and complex game developments involving numerous exchanges of territory. His approach was characterized by a willingness to engage in intricate fighting and a remarkable ability to navigate complex positions. One specific `joseki` (corner pattern) is attributed to him, beginning with White A, Black B, and White C, which he notably introduced in a game against Shusaku. This innovative approach contributed to the evolution of Go strategy, emphasizing adaptability and creative solutions over rigid adherence to established patterns.

3.3. The "Tenpō Four Sages"

Ōta Yūzō was recognized as one of the "Tenpō Four Sages" (天保四傑_{Tenpō Shiketsu}^Japanese), an esteemed group of master players active during the Tenpō era (1830-1844). This group included Itō Shōwa, Yasui Sanchi (Toshitetsu), Ōta Yūzō, and Sakaguchi Sentoku. Their collective skill and influence significantly shaped the Go world of their time, and Ōta's inclusion in this elite circle underscored his high standing among his contemporaries.

4.1. Rivalry with Honinbo Shusaku

Despite a significant age difference, Ōta Yūzō and Honinbo Shusaku were considered very close in strength. Their first recorded game took place in June 1842, when Ōta was 35 years old and a 6 dan, while Shusaku was a mere 13-year-old 2 dan. In this initial encounter, Ōta played with a two-stone handicap and won. Over that summer, they played a total of 11 games. Shusaku won 7, lost 3, and had one `jigo` (draw). Although Shusaku initially had a strong run of wins, Ōta soon found his own form, leading to a more balanced rivalry. They developed a close friendship, often playing twice a day, and were considered more friends than rivals. It took Shusaku four years to overcome the two-stone handicap and play on an even footing with Ōta.

4.2. The Famous Sanjubango with Shusaku

The most celebrated series of games in Ōta Yūzō's career was the `sanjubango` (30-game match) against Honinbo Shusaku. This match began in 1853, when Ōta was 46 years old and 7 dan, and Shusaku was 24 and 6 dan. The idea for the match arose during a gathering of top players, including Yasui Sanchi, Itō Shōwa, Sakaguchi Sentoku, Hattori Seitetsu, and Ōta, at a mansion in Edo. When the consensus emerged that Shusaku was the strongest player of the time, Ōta, who was then tied 2-2 with 2 `uchikake` (suspended games) against Shusaku in an ongoing series, expressed his disagreement. This sparked the interest of Akai Gorosaku, a renowned sponsor of Go competitions, who decided to fund the unprecedented `sanjubango`.

The games were played once a week, a faster pace than typical `jubango` matches. Ōta performed well initially, but Shusaku began to fight back after the 11th game. By the 17th game, Ōta was behind by four games, with a record of 6 wins, 10 losses, and 1 `jigo`, leading to Shusaku gaining the `sen-a-sen` (alternating first move) advantage. Ōta continued to struggle, falling further behind with 1 win, 3 losses, and 1 `jigo` in the subsequent games. The 21st game was played in July, but the 22nd game was not played until October of that year for unknown reasons. The 22nd game was uniquely played at Ōta's house, unlike the previous matches held in more neutral venues. Ōta lost this game, after which the venue was changed back to a neutral location.

The 23rd game, played on November 5 and 28, 1853, is widely considered Ōta's lifetime masterpiece. It lasted for nearly 24 continuous hours and resulted in a `jigo` (tie), with Ōta playing as White. This tie was a remarkable achievement, especially given Ōta's disadvantaged position in the match. It saved Ōta from further embarrassment and was used, along with Shusaku's summons for the Castle games, as a pretext to adjourn the entire `sanjubango`. Ōta's enduring fame largely stems from this single, pivotal game within the larger series. Shusaku himself praised this game, stating, "This will probably be Mr. Ōta's masterpiece of a lifetime."

In this 23rd game, a fierce contest began on the left side of the board. White (Ōta) made a light advance from move 62 to 64. On the right side, White 5 (move 65) served as a reducing move, leading to a game with minimal territory for both sides, indicating a close, subtle game. Although White's central position seemed thin up to move 69, Black found no severe attacking moves. White continued to fight, enduring the thinness of its position. In the endgame, White initiated a `ko` fight from A to E, anticipating a favorable `ko` threat on the upper left, ultimately achieving a `jigo`. Despite Black (Shusaku) making no apparent blunders, White's precise play led to the tie, cementing its status as Ōta's representative work.

4.3. Matches with Honinbo Shuwa

Ōta Yūzō also engaged in an extensive series of games with Honinbo Shuwa, the successor to the Honinbo house. Their rivalry was prolific, with approximately 140 games remaining in records. Their encounters began on `mutsu-sen` (even terms), with Ōta later playing with `sen-a-sen` (alternating first move) and `jōseki` (fixed first move) handicaps against Shuwa at various points. One notable game was a `jigo` played in 1843, where Ōta, then 6 dan, played as White against the already 7 dan Shuwa, which is recognized as a fine example of his play.

5.1. Game Collections

Ōta Yūzō authored several significant game collections:

• `Seisei Shudan` (西征手談_{Seisei Shudan}^Japanese): Published in two volumes in 1839 and 1841, this collection primarily features games played during his extensive tours across western Japan in his early career. It was later re-published in 1979 as part of the `Igo Meicho Senshu 6` series.
• `Rokusseki-shu` (六石集_Rokussekishu^Japanese): Published in 1846, this collection compiles games played after 1843.
• `Ono no Tei Denki` (斧之柄伝記_{Ono no Tei Denki}^Japanese, "Ax-handle Legend"): Another collection of his game records.

6.1. Contemporary and Modern Assessments

Ōta Yūzō was highly esteemed by his peers. Honinbo Shusaku, despite being Ōta's formidable rival, held him in high regard, stating in his `Igo Kenbunshi` (囲碁見聞誌_{Igo Kenbunshi}^Japanese, "Go Observation Journal") that "Ōta's skill is superior by a hair's breadth" among the Tenpō Four Sages. While his overall match record against some opponents, such as Sakaguchi Sentoku, was not always superior, his ability to maintain an even playing field against a rapidly rising star like Shusaku, who was 22 years his junior, for 17 games in their `sanjubango` is considered a testament to his exceptional skill, especially given Ōta's advancing age. Even in modern times, many prominent Go players, including Fujisawa Shuko, have expressed admiration for Ōta Yūzō's play.

6.2. Influence on Go Theory and Practice

Ōta Yūzō's playing style and theoretical contributions significantly influenced the evolution of Go strategy. His frequent use of `takamoku` (high points) and `mezukushi` (off-center points) in the opening, combined with his preference for dynamic exchanges and flexible stone movements, fostered a more fluid and less rigid approach to the game. His games are characterized by numerous `furikawari` (exchanges of territory or influence), giving his style an impression of great flexibility and brilliance. The specific `mezukushi joseki` (White A, Black B, White C) that he introduced against Shusaku is a notable example of his innovative contributions to opening theory, demonstrating his willingness to explore new strategic possibilities. His legacy lies not only in his individual achievements but also in how his unique approach broadened the strategic horizons of Go.