Hon'inbō Shūsaku
Japanese Go player with an undefeated castle-game streak.
- field
- Professional Go player
- nationality
- Japanese
- known_for
- Undefeated streak of 19 castle games; Shusaku opening; posthumous 'Go sage' title
Lore & Background
Shusaku won by two points. The match was adjourned when Shusaku was called for castle games. Shusaku tended patients in the Honinbō house, fell ill, and died on September 3 at age 33.
Reader's Guide
The Shusaku opening, a method of opening on black perfected (not invented) by him, influenced Go strategy until the 1930s. In the West, his reputation is somewhat inflated due to sparse sources, while in Japan it is more balanced.
Did You Know?
- Shusaku was nicknamed 'Invincible' after earning a perfect score of 19 straight wins in the annual castle games.
- Only two other players have been given the title 'Go Sage': Honinbō Dosaku and Honinbo Jowa (whose title was later revoked).
- The 23rd game of his 30-game match with Ōta Yūzo lasted nearly 24 hours and ended in a tie.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hon'inbō Shūsaku most famous for?
His legendary 19-game undefeated streak in the annual castle games stands as his most celebrated feat. He also lent his name to a well-known Go opening and was honored after his death with the title 'Go sage.'
What is the Shusaku opening?
It is a named Go opening that carries his name, reflecting his distinctive approach to the early stages of a game. It remains a recognized variation that players reference when studying classical Go strategy.
More in Chess & Mind Sports 1-23
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record