The Birth of the Hoensha: Revolution in the Go World
The early Meiji era (1868–1912) was a time of upheaval for Japan and its Go players. With the fall of the shogunate, the Four Great Houses (Honinbo, Inoue, Yasui, Hayashi) lost their government stipends. Many players abandoned the game entirely, turning to trade, manual labor, or even soldiering to survive.
But by 1878, as Japan stabilized, a group of disillusioned masters saw an opportunity to rebuild the Go world, without the feudal hierarchies of the past.
The Wilderness Years: Shuho's Exile (1871-1878)
After his final rejection from the Honinbo in 1871, Murase Shuho wandered Japan, a master without a school. But these years of exile forged his vision for Go’s future.
The Gambler’s Code
In Kyoto’s backroom games, Shuho didn’t just hustle amateurs—he studied them. He developed a system of "controlled play," deliberately matching his strength to opponents while maintaining streaks. These tactics later became core to Hoensha’s teaching methods.Secret Games with a Samurai
Twice a month, Shuho met the retired samurai-official for private matches. Their experimental openings—recorded in Shuho’s rediscovered notebooks—laid the groundwork for Hoensha’s revolutionary strategies.Merchant-Class Economics
Shuho’s diaries reveal meticulous notes on Kyoto’s gambling houses and merchant spending. This data later helped him price Hoensha’s membership fees perfectly—balancing accessibility and prestige.
The Outcasts Unite
Led by Nakagawa Kamesaburou (a disgruntled Honinbo disciple), Kobayashi Tetsujirou (Inoue’s sharpest strategist), and Mizutani Houji (a self-taught prodigy), they sent a letter to Murase Shuho, still drinking away his sorrows in Kyoto.
Shuho, once the rightful heir to the Honinbo, had been betrayed twice—first by Shuwa, then by Shuei. But now, at 40 years old, he saw a chance for redemption.
"The old system is dead," he declared upon arriving in Tokyo. "We must unite all players—regardless of school—under one banner."
Thus, in April 1879, the Hoensha (方圆社) was born:
President: Murase Shuho (finally vindicated)
Vice President: Nakagawa Kamesaburou
Chief Director: Kobayashi Tetsujirou
For the first time in history, Go was no longer the exclusive domain of the Four Houses.
The Hoensha Conspiracy (1878)
The founding of Hoensha wasn’t a chance—it was a calculated rebellion against the dying Four Houses.
The 17 Letters
Kobayashi Tetsujirou, once Inoue’s strategist, didn’t just "invite" Shuho. He sent 17 identical letters via different couriers—a failsafe learned from his shogunate days. Only three arrived.The Midnight Pact
At their first Tokyo meeting, Shuho, Nakagawa Kamesaburou, and Kobayashi swore a secret oath: "No more clans. Only the game." They burned a Honinbo diploma as a symbol.Funding the Revolution
Mizutani Hoji, the self-taught prodigy, secured backing from Osaka textile merchants in exchange for exclusive rights to sell Hoensha-branded gobans.
The Hoensha’s Radical Innovations (1879-1880)
Issuing Diplomas (免状) to Outsiders
Previously, only the Four Houses could certify players. The Hoensha broke this monopoly, offering ranks to anyone who proved their skill at half the price of the Honinbo House
This instantly undercut the House’s main income source.
Publishing The Go News (囲碁新報)
Japan’s first Go newspaper, spreading strategies and game records nationwide.
Made professional knowledge accessible to amateurs—unthinkable in the secretive old system.
Public Tournaments & Lectures
The Hoensha hosted open competitions, drawing crowds that dwarfed the Four Houses’ private matches.
The Decline of the Four Houses (1880s)
1. The Honinbo Crisis
Honinbo Shugen, the 16th head, struggled with alcoholism and leadership failures.
In 1884, Hayashi Shuei (Shuwa’s second son) merged the remnants of the Honinbo and Hayashi houses, becoming the 17th Honinbo.
2. The Inoue and Yasui Houses
Inoue: Weakened by internal disputes, they gradually faded from prominence.
Yasui: Survived longer due to financial reserves but lost influence.
3. The 1883 Honinbo Fire
The Honinbo estate burned down again, destroying historical records and treasures.
Why the Hoensha Succeeded
Merit-Based System
Promoted players based on skill, not clan loyalty.
Modernization
Used newspapers, public events, and structured tournaments to popularize Go.
Financial Independence
Funded through membership fees and sponsorships, not government stipends.
By the 1890s, the Hoensha had hundreds of members, while the Four Houses became relics of the past.
The Legacy
The Hoensha didn’t just survive—it thrived, dominating Japanese Go for decades. Its model laid the groundwork for modern professional systems, proving that meritocracy could outlast aristocracy.
Meanwhile, the Honinbo name lived on through Shuei’s brilliance, but the era of the Four Houses ruling Go was over forever.
Want the next chapter of Go history?
🔸Subscribe to our email list to get occasional reminders to read new stories
🔸 Access high-quality lectures and Go equipment
🔸Join a growing community preserving the greatest drama Go has ever known
🡆 Because every legend begins with a move.
And every game tells a story.
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.
Contact: For verification or takedown requests, please email help@zeejyan.com.
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》)
