Hon'inbō Shūwa
| Hon'inbō Shūwa | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Honinbo Shuwa |
| Kanji | 本因坊秀和 |
Template:Japanese name Honinbo Shuwa (本因坊秀和, 1820-1873) was a Japanese professional Go player. One of the Tempo Four group of players of the first half of the nineteenth century, and arguably the strongest of them, he was also the fourteenth head of the Honinbo house (from 1847 to 1873).
While his reputation is somewhat overshadowed by that of his brilliant, pious and short-lived pupil Honinbo Shusaku, it is undecided and to an extent imponderable who was the stronger, the typical playing conditions of the time meaning that they did not test this in matches played purely as competition. Shusaku's games having been published soon after his death, they became a training manual, adding to the impression of the pupil's level. Shusaku adored his teacher, and would always take black out of respect, hence his plus score.
Shuwa's style was unspectacular but thoroughly professional. This has added to the appreciation of its virtues, by strong players.
His most significant games were probably the two challenge games of 1840 and 1842 against Inoue Genan Inseki. These were both solid wins with Black for Shuwa. Genan was 8 dan, but was frustrated in his attempt to become Meijin, and Shuwa is taken to be his peer.
Three of his natural sons became head of house after him: Honinbo Shuetsu, Honinbo Shuei and Honinbo Shugen were respectively his eldest, second and third sons. The end of his life was at the worst point of go's fortunes after the Meiji Restoration. He lived to see the Honinbo residence in Edo (Tokyo) taken back by the state in 1869[1] The family members for a while resumed the family name Tsuchiya.
One of the factors in the eventual revival of organised go was a study group called "Third Day Meeting" that Shuwa himself had set up, when the oshirogo ceased in the early 1860s. This grouping survived and contributed to the later Hoensha.[2]
Awards
- He was inducted into the Nihon Ki-in Hall of Fame in 2006.