Life In 19x19

A heads-up, if I may, on two new books "from the GoGoD archives" that should first appear in early Aoril 2011.

These are in the Famous Games series started by "The Meijin's Retirement Game". As there, the idea is to look at the game in massive detail, but also to provide a deep look into the context of the game and the general history of go at the time.

No. 2 in the series, The Old versus New Fuseki Game: Honinbo Shusai versus Go Seigen, will possibly appear a little later than the other one, thanks to Postman Pat who seems to have snaffled the first set of proofs.

This covers the history of New Fuseki from about 1920 to 1940, and includes a close look at the famous book by Yasunaga, which will introduce you to the Theory of Equilibrium, the Theory of Averaging, the Theory of Balance and the Theory of Sanrensei.

The game itself is covered with over 100 variation diagrams. 130 pages, with bibliography and index, 8x6" format.

No. 3 is The Insha Game: Honinbo Shusai versus Karigane Junichi.

This covers the 1926 "Famous Capture" game with around 130 variation diagrams, but the history is even more extensive as I used this as an excuse to describe the tangled history of the various groups that led from early Meiji times up to the formation of the Nihon Ki-in. That is, it describes, with plenty of anecdotes, the Hoensha, Shishokai, Kogyokukai, Igo Doshikai, Rikkaki, Hiseikai and the Chuo Ki-in (amongst others), and of course the Kiseisha (the -sha part of Insha) and its match with the In-, or Nihon Ki-in. A large selection of other games from the match is included. Over 180 pages, with bibliography and index, 8x6" format.

A point of special interest in the latter book is that it shows how hard the Japanese had to battle to set up modern professional go. There are lessons there for those who would like to see pro go in the west.

Cost of both books is not yet known - printer's bills awaited - but a target figure is $18 for each.

Have you ever considered writing a book just on the history of Japanese go? As much as I love your game commentaries, I may like the historical introductions even more.

In any case, looking forward to both books.

I think JF is someone who uses game commentaries as an excuse to write about go history.

It's a package deal.

There seems to already be a general introduction to 400 years of Japanese Go (http://www.slateandshell.com/SSAG001.html). It would therefore probably makes more sense for JF to write about historical figures, games, and interesting periods of go history in greater detail than what is available as general overviews.

Have you ever considered writing a book just on the history of Japanese go? As much as I love your game commentaries, I may like the historical introductions even more.

I'm always pleased to hear of people who share my interest in go's historical figures, and it's true (as I've said in one or other of the prefaces) that I use games as an excuse to write about history. But the sad fact is that history alone doesn't sell. You need to spice it up with games. Even then a typical comment is "Only n games!". The market is just too tiny to try for a niche like history alone.

Furthermore, relatively modern games (e.g. Go Seigen's) add more spice than Edo games. That said, the next Famous Games book is sitting here awaiting a final edit, and that is on the Jowa-Akaboshi game where I plan to add a bit of spice by including Akaboshi's Genran. I keep promising myself I will also get round to finishing off a tome on Shuei, but in truth the nature of the market is a big disincentive.

Someone is bound to pop up and say "I like Shuei and would buy a book on him" but, welcome as that is, one swallow still doesn't make a summer.

The go market is very like the chess market. What most people want most of all is books about current openings. They'll make do with books of games so long as they have lots of modern openings discussion. Fortunately the history niche seems to be rather better than the go problems niche. I gather that problem books struggle even to cover costs.

BTW I just heard this morning (26 March 2011) that the Insha Game book will not appear quite as soon as hoped, though it is ready to print. But Bill Cobb said "surely by June". The other one is still "early April".

First let me say I'm glad to hear that more of your books are coming this year from Slate & Shell.

John Fairbairn wrote:…snip… The market is just too tiny to try for a niche like history alone.

Furthermore, relatively modern games (e.g. Go Seigen's) add more spice than Edo games. That said, the next Famous Games book is sitting here awaiting a final edit, and that is on the Jowa-Akaboshi game where I plan to add a bit of spice by including Akaboshi's Genran. I keep promising myself I will also get round to finishing off a tome on Shuei, but in truth the nature of the market is a big disincentive.

Someone is bound to pop up and say "I like Shuei and would buy a book on him" but, welcome as that is, one swallow still doesn't make a summer.

I've been interested in learning more about Shuei & his games ever since I heard that he was a favorite of Fujisawa Hideyuki. Would this possible book of yours be solely about the man, or would it also include some game commentaries? I'd be happy with either, but both would be great!

I think that market for English language Go books will get bigger this year. Perhaps I'm being overly optimistic, but I think circumstances are changing for the benefit of both readers and authors. I'd say Summer is coming — soon.

I guess I knew that was the answer -- the market would just be too small. And I do enjoy reading game commentaries. But I still hope the market makes a pure go history book possible someday (and one a lot more detailed than 400 years of Go in Japan). That and I would really love to see a Shuei book.

These two books on famous games do more than report on the games and the players. They will continue to shed light on the career of Shusai, who has become something of a controversial figure lately. Many people only know of him via Kawabata's book and isolated bits of information, e.g. Go's interview with Pieter Mioch in which Go described Shusai as a "scoundrel". People may have formed the idea that he wasn't all that strong a player. He comes off well in the retirement game, even though he lost, and he played well in the "Game of the Century" regardless of whether he had help in finding the brilliant tesuji that cinched his win. He did win the game with Karigane, entirely on his own as far as I know, and it is one of the great fighting games of go history, with much at stake for both players.

As for Shuei, I love his go and have a couple of Japanese collections. I think an English book on him would be a good thing to have.