In memoriam - Takeda Misao

[John Fairbairn]

As a reminder that women's go has a very long tradition in Japan, here is a game by Takeda Misao who has just died at the age of 94.

She was the elder sister of Kajiwara Takeo, but also the wife of Takeda Hiroyoshi 6d, a pupil of Honinbo Shusai. She retired in 1972 as 3d at the age of 51, and as is customary was awarded 4d, but she returned in 1977 as 3d and then achieved 4d in play, retiring again in 1988. I have not seen a reason for this hiatus, but judging by dates I'd think a likely guess is that she first retired to look after her sick husband, who died in 1976.

The game itself is rather enjoyable. It begins with the once rather common double takamoku and the game stays unusually high after that. In the final position, there are very few stones not just on the first and second lines but even on the third line. Yet a play on the secon line wins it! For those obsessed only with modern play, there is an interesting 4-4 joseki, too.

[CaiGengYang]

Can't seem to find any information about her on wikipedia

As a reminder that women's go has a very long tradition in Japan, here is a game by Takeda Misao who has just died at the age of 94.

She was the elder sister of Kajiwara Takeo, but also the wife of Takeda Hiroyoshi 6d, a pupil of Honinbo Shusai. She retired in 1972 as 3d at the age of 51, and as is customary was awarded 4d, but she returned in 1977 as 3d and then achieved 4d in play, retiring again in 1988. I have not seen a reason for this hiatus, but judging by dates I'd think a likely guess is that she first retired to look after her sick husband, who died in 1976.

The game itself is rather enjoyable. It begins with the once rather common double takamoku and the game stays unusually high after that. In the final position, there are very few stones not just on the first and second lines but even on the third line. Yet a play on the secon line wins it! For those obsessed only with modern play, there is an interesting 4-4 joseki, too.

[gamesorry]

Can't seem to find any information about her on wikipedia

Here's a brief introduction of Takeda Misawo in Japanese (if you can read Chinese you could understand it easily as well):

http://www.nihonkiin.or.jp/player/htm/ki000188.html

[macelee]

Her profile shows the well established procedure of Nihon Kiin handling ranks.

昭和13年入段、17年二段、31年三段、47年引退四段。昭和52年春現役三段に復帰、61年四段。昭和63年引退五段。平成27年9月26日逝去。追贈六段。

She became 3-dan in 1956, decided to retire in 1972 when she was given an honorary 4-dan. In 1977 she came back to play as a 3-dan, got properly promoted to 4-dan in 1986. When she retired a second time in 1988 she was given an honorary 5-dan. When she passed away, she was given 6-dan posthumously.

[CaiGengYang]

RIP --- one of the few female Go professionals around. Lived to a ripe old age ... wish i could live to 94 years old too ...