A Vow for the Dying Master
The Final Years of Honinbo Dosaku
As the Genroku era entered full bloom, Japan’s Go world reached its cultural peak. At the heart of it stood Honinbo Dosaku—the man who had transformed the game into an art, an institution, and a political force. Under his leadership, the Honinbo house had thrived beyond imagination.
But glory came with a price.
Within a span of just over ten years, the once-vibrant house was shattered. The famed “Six Heavenly Kings”—his brightest disciples—had all disappeared. Some died tragically young. Others, like Yoshiwa Dogen, were pulled away by superstitious families who feared the Honinbo house was cursed.
Dosaku watched it all unfold.
He was 55 when his final appointed heir, Sakuyama Sakugen, died. Yoshiwa Dogen, the only surviving Heavenly King, was forced home by his father, who insisted the house’s feng shui was poisoned. Dosaku pleaded with him to stay, but even he had begun to wonder: had fate turned against his house?
The Honinbo name, once mighty, was now teetering. And the question haunted him again:
Who would carry the school after him?
A Spark of Hope
Among Dosaku’s remaining disciples were many of high rank—capable, loyal, respected. But none of them stirred his heart like a quiet, brilliant child named Kamiya Douchi.
The boy had only been at the school for a few years. His parents were guest students, and at age 10, Dochi officially joined the Honinbo house. Dosaku played a game with him, and from that moment, he saw it:
Genius. Not learned—born.
He poured his energy into teaching Douchi. More than he had for any other disciple, including Honinbo Doteki. Some whispered that Douchi might even be Dosaku’s own blood.
We’ll never know. But one thing is certain: Dosaku had chosen him.
A Master’s Last Request
Tragedy struck again. Weakened by grief, years of stress, and the repeated trauma of burying his students, Dosaku fell ill. And this time, he couldn’t recover.
As the end drew near, he looked to the boy, barely 13 years old. Brilliant, yes. But still just a child. How could he carry the weight of the house alone?
Dosaku needed someone strong. Someone loyal. Someone he could trust not to take the crown for himself.
He sent for his former student, Doseki, a former member of Heavenly Kings, and now the head of the Inoue house.
A Dangerous Favor
Doseki, now the head of the Inoue house, had long accepted his path would never be through the Honinbo line.
But when the call came, he came without hesitation.
At Dosaku’s bedside, he listened as the old master spoke.
“You are 7-dan,” Dosaku said. “From this moment, I name you 8-dan—just one step below Meijin.”
Doseki bowed deeply, stunned.
“There is one condition,” Dosaku continued.
He leaned forward, his voice frail but fierce:
“You must never claim the Meijin title. That right must go to Dochi. You will guide him. Protect him. But you may never sit on the throne.”
Doseki froze.
He had the talent. The experience. The name. He had worked his entire life for the Meijin title. And now, it was being taken away—so that a child could take it instead.
But he looked into the eyes of the man who had raised him.
“I will obey,” he said.
A Vow Sealed in Ink
Dosaku wasn’t finished. He summoned senior officials and heads of the other Go houses. And in front of them all, he had Doseki sign a written vow:
He would never, in his lifetime, claim the Meijin title.
Only then did Dosaku close his eyes in peace.
A few days later, in 1702, he passed away at age 58.
Legacy at a Cost
Dosaku’s decision was not driven by ego. It was driven by tradition. In those days, family lines and house loyalty mattered more than talent. Even Dosaku—revolutionary though he was—could not escape that mindset.
Doseki had the skill. But he was not Honinbo.
Dochi was. And that, to Dosaku, was all that mattered.
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Copyright Notice
This English adaptation is based on Japanese Go Stories (《日本围棋故事》, 2016) by Xue Zhicheng (薛至诚).
For non-commercial use only: Shared for educational purposes under fair use.
Rights retained: All copyrights belong to the original author and cited sources.
Modifications: Minor narrative adjustments were made for readability; all historical content remains accurate.
No affiliation or endorsement: This work is independent and unaffiliated with the original author or publishers.
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References
Adapted from:
Xue Zhicheng (薛至诚), Japanese Go Stories (《日本围棋故事》), 2016.
Cited in original work:
Watanabe Hideo (渡辺英夫), Shin Zaigin Dansō (《新坐隱談叢》)
Watanabe Yoshimichi (渡部義通), Kodai Igo no Sekai (《古代囲碁の世界》)
Lin Yu (林裕), Weiqi Encyclopedia (《围棋百科辞典》)
