No, unlike uberdude, I do not mean those over 30. I mean those who believe that being able to get out of bed in the morning is an achievement.

And you'd probably have to be in that category to really understand this rather nice reply from Kobayashi Koichi in a press conference that marked his elevation to the peerage. Actually, it was his April 2018 award of the Medal of Honour with Purple Ribbon, one of the lowliest of the gongs given annually to Japan's most worthy citizens.

Kobayashi thus joins a select band of almost a dozen players to have been honoured at this level. A few players have risen higher up the ladder and some have been honoured more than once. Go Seigen got the snazzy Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon (III). Segoe Kensaku has had the most honours and is way up in the clouds with the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Star, Senior Fourth Position.

In British terms Kobayashi would maybe be a CBE, Go would be a Sir and Segoe would be a Lord.

Anyway, back to what Kobayashi (now 66) said. Asked about challenges for the future, he said "Fortunately I am healthy and I still have a passion for go. Go is fascinating. When I heard that Go Seigen and Fujisawa Hideyuki were still studying go even after retiring, I thought 'Why?' But now I understand."

Iyama Yuta hasn't been gonged up yet but he did get to meet the Emperor and Empress at the Palace's Spring Garden Party. "A day I will never forget."

As an American, I have just now learned that there is a Knighthood that does not entitle you 'Sir' or 'Dame'.

I wonder how common Kobayashi's change of heart is, and how many players keep studying after retirement.

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Occupy Babel!

Lord Vader, and the one who shall not be named (also LV! ^(*) ).

Also interesting is they still keep the E in CBE, etc.
History is fascinating.


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^(*) Not to be confused with LV

That's because it still exists. Look up Overseas Territories, which have not yet been granted independence. And Brenda is still sovereign of Canada and Australia.

Yes, and over 20 years ago the list was longer.
There's also V.I. and Puerto Rico, etc.

The naming technicality is but one aspect.
"The transfer of Hong Kong to China in 1997 marked for many the end of the British Empire."

What does this have to do with the price of fish?