The Fall of the Throne
After the Storm, a New One Brews
Honinbo Jouwa (丈和) had defeated his enemies and claimed the Meijin title. His victory over Akaboshi Inseki (赤星因碩), backed by Matsudaira Nariaki (松平斉昭), had silenced the last challenge to his authority. But what should have been a long, stable reign soon turned into something else.
It wasn’t enemies from outside the Honinbo house that brought trouble. It was betrayal from within.
Hayashi Motoyoshi (林元美) had been essential in Jouwa’s rise. He had played every angle, greased every wheel, and risked his reputation to ensure Jouwa’s appointment as Meijin. In exchange, he expected one thing: an 8 dan certificate.
But Jouwa, now on top, showed no gratitude. He dismissed Motoyoshi’s requests with vague replies and cold silence. For Motoyoshi, who had gambled everything on this alliance, it was more than a betrayal—it was humiliation.
Still, he kept his rage hidden. The arrangement had been private. Without proof, he had no leverage. He waited.
The Final Straw
In 1837, the respected Yasui Chitoku (知得), now gravely ill, asked Jouwa to grant his successor, Yasui Shuntetsu (安井俊哲), the 7 dan rank to ensure the stability of the Yasui house. Perhaps out of guilt for past manipulations, or simply to maintain appearances, Jouwa agreed.
When Motoyoshi heard this, his fury boiled over. If Chitoku could get a favor, why not him? He approached Jouwa again—this time with the weight of the past. But Jouwa refused once more, flatly and without patience.
Motoyoshi had seen enough.
He went public.
All the secret deals, the backstage arrangements, the personal promises Jouwa had made during his Meijin campaign—Motoyoshi exposed them. The Go world erupted. What had once been whispers behind sliding doors became loud, angry voices. Support for Jouwa began to fracture.
Even Genan Inseki (幻庵因碩), once publicly embarrassed by Jouwa’s rise, now stepped forward. He backed Motoyoshi’s claims and called for a reckoning. Together, the two men issued a formal challenge to Jouwa: a twenty-game match. Win or lose, Jouwa would face judgment.
The End of an Empire
Jouwa was blindsided. For all his planning, he had underestimated just how deeply Motoyoshi resented him. The fallout was immediate. The Go elders, sensing the rising pressure, privately suggested Jouwa step down.
Shamed and cornered, Jouwa resigned in 1838, ending his term as Meijin after only seven years.
His departure marked the fall of one of the most complex figures in Go history. He had been brilliant, ambitious, and ruthless. But his coldness, his lack of loyalty, had undone everything. Had he kept his promises to Motoyoshi, perhaps his rule would have continued. But instead, he had burned every bridge. And in the end, he stood alone.
A Precaution for the Future
Upon stepping down, Jouwa named Genjou’s (元丈) son, Josaku (丈策), as his successor—his way of honoring the teacher who had shaped his path. But Jouwa had seen the future and sensed the danger. Genan still lingered, still sought power, and Jouwa knew JJosaku might not be strong enough to face him.
So, in one final move of foresight, Jouwa named a second heir: his student, Tsuchiya Koutarou (土屋恒太郎), who took on the name Honinbo Shuwa (本因坊秀和). Shuwa had strength. Even Jouwa had said it—he was better than his master.
The Shadow Returns
In 1839, the year after Jouwa’s resignation, Genan Inseki made his move. He petitioned to be appointed Meijin. He was now the most senior 8 dan and had waited long enough. With Jouwa gone, who could oppose him?
Josaku did. Following Jouwa’s instructions, he stepped aside and nominated Shuwa to contest Genan’s claim. It was a direct challenge—Shuwa, the young prodigy, versus Genan, the cunning veteran.
Genan was caught off guard. He had expected an easy path, not another war. And he certainly hadn’t expected Shuwa. Rumors had long painted him as Jouwa’s secret weapon. Now that weapon was pointed directly at him.
Sabotage and Delay
Genan panicked. He pulled strings, pressured officials, and worked through allies to block the match. Shuwa submitted his formal challenge, but it vanished, lost in the bureaucracy Genan had rigged.
Still, Josaku didn’t give up. He stormed the official offices, demanding action. Embarrassed by the exposure, the Go elders reluctantly approved the match.
It was too late to back out. The twenty-game challenge between Shuwa and Genan was on.
Genan tried to save face. He went public, saying he had delayed only out of courtesy—that he didn’t want to humiliate the Honinbo house. But few believed him. Josaku, meanwhile, began rallying support. He told anyone who would listen: “Genan’s 8 dan title was a lie. Watch. Shuwa will crush him.”
The Tension Builds
Both sides prepared in silence. Genan buried himself in records, looking for flaws in Shuwa’s style. Shuwa, quiet as ever, trained in the shadows of the Honinbo house.
It wasn’t just about rank anymore. This was about honor, legacy, and revenge.
What followed would become one of the most famous rivalries in Go history. And it all began with betrayal, pride, and the ghosts of promises left broken.
The infighting of Tenpō had ended one era and given birth to another.
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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》)
