The Backroom Moves
Jouwa Strikes First
Word of Genan Inseki’s (幻庵因碩) political maneuvering reached Honinbo Jouwa (本因坊丈和) quickly. He learned of the ten-game challenge Genan had arranged with Yasui Chitoku (安井知得). He learned that Genan had quietly sent disciples to observe the Honinbo house. And he learned what Genan truly wanted—not to challenge for the Meijin title, but to watch others fight for it and rise afterward.
Jouwa wasn’t surprised. He was furious—but careful. Rather than confronting Genan directly, he turned to an old ally: Hayashi Motoyoshi (林元美).
Motoyoshi, ever the weather vane, confessed everything. He admitted that Genan had planned to use Chitoku as a weapon against Jouwa. In exchange for his loyalty, Motoyoshi asked for something clear—a recommendation for 8-dan status and support in the coming political struggle.
Jouwa agreed.
Together, they moved fast.
Securing the Throne
By the early 1840s, the momentum was irreversible. Jouwa and Motoyoshi lobbied the Go elders directly, emphasizing Jouwa’s victory over Chitoku, his role as head of the Honinbo house, and the need to finally fill the vacant Meijin position. They framed it not as ambition, but as stability—restoring order to the Go world.
Genan was still preparing for his match with Chitoku when the decision came down.
The elders approved Jouwa’s elevation to Meijin. No ten-game match. No formal challenge. Just a clean stroke of political victory.
When Genan objected, citing the agreement they’d made during the three-house alliance, Jouwa denied its validity. There had been no official paper. No legal backing. The “six-year promise” was a verbal gesture, and Jouwa no longer needed it.
Genan had been outplayed at his own game.
The Shadow Reappears
Genan didn’t give up. He turned to Chitoku, offering to fight in his name, to confront Jouwa directly in the spirit of justice. Chitoku, aging and tired, had lost the political ground beneath his feet. He agreed.
But the challenge never made it to the board.
Before anything could begin, Jouwa was confirmed. The Meijin seat was filled, for the first time in decades.
It had taken charm, force, timing, and betrayal.
It was the end of one war.
But not the end of Genan.
A Throne With a Price
Jouwa’s rise to Meijin in 1842 marked a turning point in the Go world. The long-delayed vacancy was finally resolved. The Honinbo house had regained supremacy. And the old balance between the Four Houses—Honinbo, Yasui, Inoue, and Hayashi—was shattered.
Behind the scenes, though, the bitterness remained.
Genan never forgot the betrayal. And though Chitoku retired quietly not long after, Genan remained active. For years, he plotted his return, nurturing students, building alliances, and watching for Jouwa’s next misstep.
As for Jouwa, his time as Meijin would be marked by strength and controversy. He was respected, but never loved. His ascent had required too many backroom deals, too many political victories over personal ones. But he held the title. And in the history books, that’s what remained.
Just not in Genan’s.
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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.
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》)
