Life In 19x19

This is wonderful news! I don't know how you manage to be so prolific.

Thank you. The main reason is synergy: having T Mark as a collaborator. Us both being retired is a help.

People who want to see a good film with a go theme should see Mikan no Taikyoku or "The Unfinished Game" It is dramatic, romantic, full of action and the game of go is a major character. Unfortunately it's some 25 years old and pretty hard to find. One of the characters in the film is arguably inspired by Go Seigen, too. More info at http://senseis.xmp.net/?MikanNoTaikyoku

While we are on the subject of Go Seigen, there is a new series of comic books (in Chinese) about the ten-game match between him and Kitani Minoru. The first book (about the first game of the match) has been out. You can see the comic strips from the first book and the unfinished second book online at http://club.weiqi.tom.com/item_111_1552513_0_7.html. It is a work in progress. [In case anyone has copyright concern, the poster of these comic strips appears to be doing so with the publisher's blessing, given his unfettered access to the new art work as soon as it is complete.]

The title of the series is: 吴清源《擂争十番棋》. It is said that the people responsible for the books are those who made The Go Master 2006.

gowan wrote:People who want to see a good film with a go theme should see Mikan no Taikyoku or "The Unfinished Game"

I also really enjoyed that film. It is hard to find though. :/

gowan wrote:People who want to see a good film with a go theme should see Mikan no Taikyoku or "The Unfinished Game" It is dramatic, romantic, full of action and the game of go is a major character. Unfortunately it's some 25 years old and pretty hard to find. One of the characters in the film is arguably inspired by Go Seigen, too. More info at http://senseis.xmp.net/?MikanNoTaikyoku

yes, I think it has a better story, but oddly enough, I enjoyed the other film better than this one. Sounds like I'm just about the only one though.

imabuddha wrote:

John Fairbairn wrote:Subject, of course, to Slate & Shell's say in the matter, the wartime volume The Survivors is well in hand. There will be one on the games with Sakata, and another on the games with the Rising Stars, and possibly a sixth that catches the bits and pieces left over.

In addition, the third of the Famous Games series will be on the Go-Shusai New Fuseki game and that will be an excuse for a detailed look at New Fuseki in general.

I am also working on a small companion volume called Go Seigen's Josekis.

There are also a couple of books on the way early next year that have nothing to do with Go Seigen.

This is wonderful news! I don't know how you manage to be so prolific, but I'm happy that you do.

Wonderful news indeed. Its truly remarkable how these games are brought to life on the page through the colour commentary; one can only imagine how many hours were spent pouring over books and magazines to glean the goods. I'm grateful for your devotion to the Master and your skill at putting it all together to create a cohesive whole, as well as your ability to turn a phrase. I do hope the bio bits will continue to flow in the forthcoming volumes, as warranted.

Think it was Florencio Campomanes (FIDE President, 1982–1995) who said something to the effect that a local hero is what will most effectively grow a sports popularity in a nation. I don't know how important it is that they are local, but I do believe it is important to have people to look up to and admire. I think the work you are doing in bringing Go Seigen's life and work to light for the English speaking world is important.

Some thoughts.
What I enjoyed: I must say that the scenes were beautiful.

Except for the title, this movie is dedicated to master Wu Qinq yuan and his wife (Kazuko), I felt like the movie paid little homage to Go Seigen. Rather than making him seem like an warm admirable character, he seemed aloof. I honestly can't say I have a full-fledged admiration,but he seems like one of those people that I want to know better but I can't get to know. His inhibitions are all tied in.

If the director's intent was to make the movie grave then he certainly did:
Go Seigen's (Tian Zhuangzhuang) Sensei Segoe Kensaku committed suicide because "he couldn't play anymore"
His long time friend Kitani Minouri had an untimely death.
Go Seigen appears stoic perhaps. He cares more about religion, yet his wife Kazuko remains faithful to him.

Quotes to discusss:
"Competition and faith are my life-long vocations. Like fire and water, I depend on both. When I couldn't outrank the others, it was my time to leave". I don't agree with this statement. I believe Go Seigen is still an teaches go so I don't feel he has figuratively left the Go community..
"The are two things in my life: truth and Go."
I feel like in his attempt to gain truth and knowledge, he distances himself from family and friends. His stoicism is unbearable. After a while, it seems like he plays Go because people tell him to (like the man in the beginning and the lady in the cult).

Last thought: When the players played the stones, their placement was very gentle, in contrast with HnG which makes placing stones appear epic.

FYI-
Yellow Mountain now has a Region-Free version of "Mikan no Taikyoku" available. I just ordered a copy and will post a quick review of the DVD quality when I receive it.

imabuddha wrote:

gowan wrote:People who want to see a good film with a go theme should see Mikan no Taikyoku or "The Unfinished Game"

I also really enjoyed that film. It is hard to find though. :/

I got mine from YMI quite recently:
http://www.ymimports.com/p-1587-the-go- ... e-dvd.aspx