|
The Master of Go (ISBN
0679761063) is a novel by
Kawabata Yasunari, originally written in
Japanese and titled Meijin. Based on a true
story, it chronicles the 1938 "retirement game" of
Go by the respected master
Honinbo Shusai, against the up-and-coming player
Kitani Minoru (though his name is changed to Otake in the book).
As well as describing the game, the book also reflects the tension
between old traditions and new pragmatism - for example, commenting upon
the rigid rules governing the contest, the author writes:
- From the way of Go, the beauty of Japan and the Orient had fled.
Everything had become science and regulation.
The game, as actually played in real life, lasted 237 moves, and is
documented in the book by means of diagrams. Kitani Minoru, playing Black,
won by 5 points. The game can be
downloaded in SGF format.
|
