Although I said this was to be a Shusai week, I was cheating a little. He does not appear in this game, but he is a vital figure because the only known copy of it is a handwritten version made Shusai.

I don't know the precise circumstances here, but a likely scenario, judging by accounts of acquiring new games by other pros, even in recent times, is that Shusai was an a road trip and was staying with one of the wealthy local families who showed him some of their priceless treasures, i.e. old go books that exist nowhere else. In some cases the pro would be allowed to stay for weeks, copying out old games. In the past there wasn't much else to do in the provinces apart from that and sip sake all day - which may explain one or two misprints....

This game is also special because it features the great Chitoku, of Meijin standard, and one of his most difficult opponents (Chisaku also gave Jowa a hard time, but is one of the many early go stars who died prematurely).