Shōgi Day

What Is Shogi Day?

Shogi Day (Shogi no Hi) is a commemorative day set as November 17th by the Japan Shogi Association in 1975. In the Edo period, beginning in 1716 (Kyoho 1) under the eighth shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, who loved shogi, a match called "Oshiro Shogi" was held every year on the 17th of the old eleventh month, played in front of the shogun at Edo Castle. Because of this, November 17th in the modern calendar became "Shogi Day." Around this time, events are held across Japan to spread shogi and connect with fans.

Oshiro Shogi and the History of Shogi

Shogi is thought to derive from chaturanga in ancient India. There are several theories about when it reached Japan, and the oldest written source is the Heian-period "Shin Sarugakuki" (around 1058 to 1064). At the grounds of Kofuku-ji in Nara, shogi pieces were excavated together with a wooden tablet dated 1058. In the Edo period, Tokugawa Ieyasu made shogi, along with go, officially recognized by the shogunate.

• Around 1612:The Edo shogunate paid stipends to masters of shogi and go such as Ohashi Sokei. Shogi became officially recognized alongside go, and Sokei's successors took the title "Shogidokoro." Later three families, Ohashi, Ohashi Bunke, and Ito, became the head families, and the strongest player among them was called "Meijin"
• Around 1680:"Oshiro Shogi," played in front of the shogun, began to be held as official duty
• 1716:From Yoshimune's time, it was set to be held once a year on the 17th day of the old eleventh month
• 1975:The Japan Shogi Association set November 17th as Shogi Day. The first event was held at Kuramae Kokugikan, where a title match between Yasuharu Oyama and Makoto Nakahara was played on the sumo ring. Planned by Hirofumi Serizawa, it used a giant board over four meters wide, with trainee players moving the pieces

What Makes Japanese Shogi Special, and Sota Fujii

Japanese shogi has long had the "drop" rule, in which captured pieces can be reused as your own, a rule with no counterpart in other chaturanga-family games. An essential figure in shogi's recent popularity is Sota Fujii. On October 1st, 2016, he turned professional (fourth dan) at 14 years 2 months, then the youngest ever, and in 2023 he became the first player to hold all eight major titles.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Learn how the pieces move. Shogi uses a 9-by-9 board and 40 pieces. Check the movement of each type, such as the king, rook, and bishop, one by one
• Try a free app for beginner-level games or tsume shogi, puzzles where you checkmate the king in a few moves. They fit into a short lunch break
• Look up local shogi classes, dojos, and events timed to Shogi Day. Lessons with professional players are sometimes offered
• Bring up shogi with a coworker. The rule that lets you use captured pieces is an easy metaphor for making the most of other people's strengths

Tradition and Today's Boom

On Shogi Day, a ceremony of commendation and thanks is held at the Shogi Hall in Tokyo and the Kansai Shogi Hall each year, with letters of thanks to individuals and groups who helped shogi grow, and commendations for players. Local events include lessons with professional players, large-board commentary, and public games, which even beginners can enjoy. The largest event organized by the association is held with NHK and broadcast on television at the end of the year. Just as the title "Meijin" derives from the top of the Edo-period shogi head families, a long history lives on in shogi. Today, think about that history and the game in front of you. Go, incidentally, has its own day: in 2013 the Nihon Ki-in and others set January 5th as Go Day.