The King of Go: How Dosaku Redefined the Game
A Legacy Passed Down — and Passed Over
When Honinbo Doetsu won his grueling 20-game series against Yasui Sanchi, it seemed inevitable that he would take the Meijin title. But Doetsu had grown weary—not just of matches, but of court politics and factional strain. More importantly, he knew someone better had already arrived.
That someone was Honinbo Dosaku.
In 1677, Dosaku was named Meijin and head of the Go Bureau, not because of court connections, but because everyone agreed he was the strongest player in Japan.
It was a rare moment when power followed merit.
The Saint of the Board
In the history of Japanese Go, no name is held in higher regard than Dosaku.
Before his time, the dominant school of play was known as Yasui-ryu (安井流)—a ruthless, direct style characterized by fierce fighting, relentless invasions, and spectacular “kill the dragon” tactics. It was a battlefield, and victory often meant total annihilation.
Dosaku changed that.
He pioneered a more strategic, flexible approach. One that emphasized balance, shape, and long-term efficiency. His methodology—soon known as Dosaku-ryu (Dosaku style)—gradually overtook the Yasui style. The Go world didn’t shift overnight, but Dosaku's style became the new foundation of modern play.
It wasn’t just a difference in tactics—it was a philosophical evolution.
The First International Duel
In 1682, a diplomatic delegation arrived in Japan from the Ryukyu Kingdom. With them came a Go player named Hamahika—the best in the Ryukyuan court. The Ryukyu king had heard of Dosaku’s unmatched reputation and requested a game between the two.
This would be the first formal international Go match in Japanese history. While there had been previous foreign encounters, none had carried this level of official recognition.
Dosaku, bound by protocol as Meijin, could not play casually. But after arrangements were made through the Satsuma domain’s powerful Shimazu clan, an exception was granted.
The game would take place at the Shimazu estate.
And then came the twist.
Without consulting Dosaku, Shimazu， the head of the influential Shimazu clan， ordered that Dosaku would give Hamahika a four-stone handicap.
Even Dosaku’s closest disciples were shaken. Four stones is a severe disadvantage, and no Japanese master had ever played a foreign opponent under such terms, in such a setting.
This was not just about Go anymore—it was about national pride. If Dosaku lost, it would be seen as a loss for Japan itself.
But Dosaku didn’t flinch.
“I accept,” he said.
The Four-Stone Match
What followed was a masterclass.
Despite starting with four stones against him, Dosaku played with such precision that every move carried weight. His strategy wasn't flashy—it was overwhelming. He turned Hamahika’s advantage into a slow collapse.
By the end, Dosaku had won by 14 points.
The victory was not just personal—it was symbolic. It affirmed Japan’s dominance in Go at a time when diplomacy and prestige were intertwined.
Respect Across the Sea
Hamahika, stunned by the experience, returned to his lodgings and replayed the game over and over again.
The next day, he humbly requested that Dosaku grant him an official rank certificate. Dosaku agreed, bestowing upon him a 3-dan diploma, and wrote a note to accompany it:
“The best player in Ryukyu. Should he play a 7-dan, he may take two stones.”
It was a moment of respect and shared love of the game across cultures.
Back in Ryukyu, Go flourished.
A Match Without Regret
In the following year’s Castle Games, Dosaku played another remarkable game—this time against Yasui Shunchi (安井春知), a 7-dan player and one of the most respected Go masters of the era.
The match was played with a two-stone handicap.
Dosaku lost by one point.
But he called it one of the most fulfilling games of his life.
"Shunchi is an excellent player," Dosaku later said. "Though not perfect in every move, he fought with complete heart. I gave everything I had. There is no regret."
It wasn’t humility—it was honesty. Even in defeat, Dosaku had shown the world what Go could be: not a contest of violence, but a shared craft.
Dosaku, the Thirteen-Dan
Today, it’s difficult to overstate what it meant for Dosaku to come within one point of victory while giving a 7-dan player two stones.
In modern terms, that would be unthinkable. Professionals rarely give even one stone to each other. Two is a gulf. And yet, Dosaku nearly bridged it.
Some later players claimed Dosaku played at a “13-dan” level, centuries before such rankings existed.
Modern legend Go Seigen placed Dosaku’s work at the very front of his book, calling him:
“The man who took the first step into modern Go.”
The Legacy of the Meijin King
Dosaku wasn’t just a Go champion. He was a reformer. A teacher. A diplomat. A builder of systems. He trained dozens of top-level students, refined the ranking structure, and made decisions that would shape the Go world for the next two centuries.
And all of it—every brilliant move and every act of humility—began with one quiet decision: to accept a title that everyone knew he deserved.
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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》)
