The Legendary Bloodbath
A Shocking Revelation in Kido's Inaugural Issue
On October 1, 1924, the inaugural issue of Kido, the official organ of the newly formed Nihon Ki-in (Japan Go Association), hit the shelves. To the delight of Go enthusiasts, it heralded a new era for the game. But readers were stunned to find, on its very first page, the announcement that five prominent players—Karigane Junichi, Suzuki Tamejiro, Takabe Dohei, Kato Shin, and Onoda Chiyotaro—had been expelled from the organization.
The Rift Behind the Headlines
Officially, the expulsion was for participating in an unauthorized tournament sponsored by the Hochi Shimbun. Unofficially, it was the culmination of years of factional bitterness. Karigane and Takabe had long histories of conflict with Honinbo Shusai. Kato and Suzuki resented Shusai's domineering leadership, and Onoda criticized the favoritism shown within the Honinbo house. Together, the five defected and launched a rival organization: Kiseisha.
Honinbo Shusai's Calculated Retaliation
To Shusai, their departure was a blessing in disguise. With the political backing of Nihon Ki-in, he swiftly moved to expel them all, likely wishing he could have included Segoe Kensaku as well. However, Segoe had earned the deep trust of Ki-in benefactor Baron Okura Kishichiro and had even been considered as a possible leader of the Ki-in itself.
Segoe's Counsel and the Aftermath
Okura, cautious about losing too much talent, consulted Segoe before the expulsion. Segoe advised that Karigane and Takabe were too deeply opposed to Shusai to be reconciled, but predicted the other three would eventually return—a prediction that proved accurate when Suzuki and Kato rejoined the Ki-in the following spring.
Enter Yomiuri Shimbun: A Spectacle is Born
With support from the Yomiuri Shimbun and its shrewd president, Matsutaro Shoriki, Kiseisha found a powerful ally. Shoriki saw an opportunity for massive publicity and proposed a formal match series between Kiseisha and Nihon Ki-in. Karigane and the company agreed eagerly. High drama followed: Takabe penned a fiery public challenge that denounced Shusai's stature in the Go world.
Honinbo vs. Karigane: A Long-Awaited Grudge Match
The first game was set: Honinbo Shusai vs. Karigane Junichi, two former Honinbo house disciples turned bitter enemies. The Yomiuri turned the match into a national event with radio updates, live commentary boards, and reports from literary luminaries. Public interest soared, and Yomiuri's circulation tripled.
The Game Begins: A Tactical Firestorm
The match began on September 27, 1926. Karigane took Black. Shusai's opening was elegant and commanding, especially moves 34 to 38, which built strong potential on the lower side. By move 53, Black had started a delicate attack, prompting a suspended game as Shusai demanded more time to calculate.
White's Ruthless Assault
Resuming after a night's rest, Shusai launched a surgical strike: White 54, 56, and 60 carved out Black's eye space. Karigane tried to counter, but by move 67, the situation had evolved into a deadly capturing race. Another adjournment followed.
A Nation Holds Its Breath
The drama was heightened by Yomiuri's intentional delay of the next session for nine days, giving Shusai ample time to plan. The fighting resumed with intensity. By move 125, it was clear Shusai was risking everything—a single misstep and his entire position would collapse. But the gamble worked.
The Final Blow and Karigane's Collapse
The game was adjourned twice more. On October 18, Shusai sealed his win with move 234, capturing key Black stones and stabilizing the upper side. Karigane, down to his last minute on the clock, was unable to respond to move 254 and was declared to have lost on time.
Aftershocks: A Pyrrhic Victory?
Though Karigane had lost, the match was so intense that it became known as the "Masterpiece of Killing". The second match was scheduled, but Shusai declined due to health. Kiseisha protested, and only after prolonged negotiation did they agree to resume the series with Hashimoto Utaro standing in.
A Changing Tide: The Rise of the Young Guns
The balance shifted when Nihon Ki-in's rising stars entered the fray. Among them, Kitani Minoru, a 4-dan at the time, became a devastating force. He single-handedly won ten consecutive matches, routing Kiseisha's best. His performance earned him the moniker Kaidomaru, or "Monster Prodigy."
Karigane Strikes Back
Karigane eventually ended Kitani's streak in a fierce match, but the damage had been done. Kiseisha's morale crumbled, internal disputes flared, and Onoda defected back to Nihon Ki-in. With interest waning, Yomiuri scaled back its support.
The Final Blow: A New Rivalry Emerges
Seeing the declining appeal of the Kiseisha-Ki-in series, Yomiuri shifted focus to a more promising headline: a 10-game series between Suzuki Tamejiro and Nozawa Takehisa. The curtain fell on the once-epic confrontation, marking the end of Kiseisha's moment in the spotlight.
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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》)
