The Contest of the Golden Pillow
Origins of Go in Japan: Fact and Folklore
Go, or "Igo" in Japanese, has a deep and ancient history in Japan. While many believe that the eminent court official Kibi no Makibi brought Go to Japan from Tang China in 735 AD during Emperor Shomu's reign, this tale is contradicted by historical evidence. Records indicate that Go was already so widespread in Japan two decades before Kibi's return that Emperor Monmu had banned it along with gambling, classifying both as potential societal vices.
This discrepancy leads many historians to conclude that Go may have reached Japan indirectly through the Korean Peninsula, most plausibly during Empress Jingu's conquest of the "Three Han" states around 200 AD in Emperor Ojin's era. If so, Go has existed in Japan for over 1,800 years, making it one of the oldest continuously played games in the nation.
Go During the Nara Period: Rise of the Game
Despite the early imperial ban, Go enjoyed continuous growth. By the mid-Nara period, the game flourished under the patronage of several emperors, including Emperors Monmu, Shomu, and Koken. Emperor Koken's reign, in particular, marked the relaxation of Go-related restrictions. The government decreed that while gambling offenses warranted penal labor, Go would be exempt. Moreover, Emperor Shomu even dispatched a special envoy, Shosho no Sukune, to Tang China for the express purpose of studying Go.
As a result, the number of skilled Go players in Japan began to rise. One such figure—whose name would become immortal in Japanese Go lore—was the monk Kanren.
Kanren the Barber-Turned-Saint of Go
Originally a humble barber, Kanren entered the priesthood at Ninna-ji Temple and dedicated his post-monkhood life to mastering the game. Initially a casual player, Kanren used his monastic seclusion to study Go intensely. His skills soon surpassed all contemporary rivals, earning him recognition as Japan's first Go saint.
At the time, Emperor Daigo, an enthusiastic Go player, often played against his courtiers, who dared not win out of respect. This habitual flattery convinced the emperor that he was virtually invincible. Hearing of Kanren's reputation, Emperor Daigo summoned him to court.
Kanren, exhibiting neither fear nor flattery, demanded a two-stone handicap before he would play the emperor. Daigo, though irritated, agreed under the condition: "If you lose, you will lose your head." With utmost composure, Kanren replied, "I believe I can match His Majesty, stone for stone." The game commenced in silence, with every piece echoing across the quiet palace.
A Tactical Victory and the Golden Pillow
Kanren could have won by a large margin, but he deliberately moderated the game into a close match, ending with a single-point victory by exploiting a ko fight where he had one more threat than Daigo. Impressed, the emperor gifted Kanren a gold-embroidered pillow.
However, palace guards confiscated the gift at the gate. When the scenario repeated after a second match, Kanren realized he needed a plan. On his third visit, he brought a wooden pillow covered in gold foil. After winning and receiving another golden pillow, he performed a switch and discarded the fake into a dry well, escaping with the real one hidden beneath his robe.
Kanren used the gold to fund the construction of the Maitreya Temple next to Ninna-ji, where he became abbot.
Emperor Daigo's Leniency and the Rise of Go Literature
Although tricked, Daigo admired Kanren's wit and talent. Rather than punishing the monk, he regularly summoned him for Go matches. With Kanren's guidance, the emperor's skill improved to the point that Kanren eventually gave him a two-stone handicap.
In 931 AD, he compiled and presented the Go treatise Kishiki to Emperor Daigo. Though the complete text is lost, fragments survive in compilations like Gunsho Ruiju, revealing Kanren’s profound grasp of tactics and strategy.
Legacy of Kanren and Early Go Culture
Sadly, no game records from Kanren's era have survived, as notation systems were not yet in use. Nevertheless, his legacy lives on not only as Japan's first celebrated Go saint but also as a symbol of wit, scholarship, and the timeless cultural prestige of Go in Japan.
His escapade with the golden pillow remains a beloved parable in Go folklore, illustrating the enduring balance between strategy, courage, and reverence for tradition.
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》)
