Origin |
Name |
DOB–DOD |
Peak rank* |
Notes |
|
Honinbo Sansa (本因坊算砂) |
1559–1623 |
Meijin, 9 dan |
Founder and first head of the house Honinbo. |
|
Nakamura Doseki (中村道碩) |
1582–1630 |
Meijin, 9 dan |
Retrospectively seen as founder of the house Inoue. |
|
Hayashi Monnyusai (林門入斉) |
1583–1667 |
7 or 8 dan |
Founder and first head of the house Hayashi. |
|
Yasui Santetsu (安井算哲) |
1589–1652 |
8 dan |
Founder and first head of the house Yasui. |
|
Inoue Genkaku (井上玄覚) |
1605–1673 |
7 dan |
First head of the Inoue house on the unrevised numbering (not counting Nakamura Doseki). |
|
Honinbo Sanetsu (本因坊道悦) |
1611–1658 |
8 dan |
Second head of the house Honinbo, Jun-Meijin. |
|
Yasui Sanchi (安井算知) |
1617–1703 |
Meijin, 9 dan |
Second head of the house Yasui. |
|
Honinbo Doetsu (本因坊道悦) |
1636–1727 |
7 dan |
Third head of the house Honinbo. |
|
Honinbo Dosaku (本因坊道策) |
1645–1702 |
Meijin, 9 dan |
Fourth head of the house Honinbo. One of the greatest players of all time, and the first Kisei (go saint); an important influence on go theory. |
|
Honinbo Doteki (本因坊道的) |
1669–1690 |
7 dan |
Heir to the house Honinbo. Was considered an extremely talented Go prodigy.[4] |
|
Hayashi Monnyu (林門入) |
1678–1719 |
6 dan |
Second head of the Hayashi house. |
|
Honinbo Dochi (本因坊道知) |
1690–1727 |
Meijin, 9 dan |
Fifth head of the house Honinbo. |
|
Honinbo Chihaku (本因坊知伯) |
1710–1733 |
6 dan |
Sixth Honinbo. |
|
Honinbo Shuhaku (本因坊秀伯) |
1716–1741 |
6 dan |
Seventh head of the house Honinbo. |
|
Honinbo Satsugen (本因坊察元) |
1733–1788 |
Meijin, 9 dan |
Ninth head of the house Honinbo. |
|
Honinbo Genjo (本因坊元丈) |
1775–1832 |
8 dan |
Eleventh head of the house Honinbo. |
|
Honinbo Jowa (本因坊丈和) |
1787–1847 |
8 dan |
Was dubbed Kisei (go sage), played the famous "Blood Vomiting Game" with Akaboshi Intetsu. |
|
Ota Yuzo (太田雄蔵) |
1807–1856 |
7 dan |
was a close friend of Honinbo Shusaku and once played a famous sanjubango (30 game match) with him. |
|
Intetsu Akaboshi |
1810–1835 |
7 dan |
|
|
Honinbo Shusaku (本因坊秀策) |
1829–1862 |
7 dan |
One of the greatest players ever, he died young. He was posthumously awarded the title of Kisei (go sage). |
|
Honinbo Shuho (本因坊秀甫) |
1838–1886 |
8 dan |
Was the founder of Hoensha and the man who taught Go to Oskar Korschelt. |
|
Honinbo Shuei (本因坊秀栄) |
1854–1907 |
9 dan |
was the 17th and again 19th head of the Honinbo house. Very active and innovative in the 1890s. |
|
Honinbo Shusai (本因坊秀哉) |
1874–1940 |
9 dan |
was the last inheritor of "Honinbo" title, and founder of the Nihon Ki-in. |
Origin |
Name |
DOB–DOD |
Peak rank |
Notes |
|
Kensaku Segoe (瀬越憲作) |
1889–1972 |
9 dan |
was famous for bringing and teaching Go Seigen and Cho Hunhyun in Japan. |
|
Utaro Hashimoto (橋本宇太郎) |
1907–1994 |
9 dan |
was the founder of the Kansai Ki-in. |
|
Minoru Kitani (木谷実) |
1909–1975 |
9 dan |
was a great friend and rival to Go Seigen. Go and Kitani were the vanguard of the Shin-fuseki or "New Opening", a great advance in go theory. Most prolific teacher ever. Pupils include Masao Kato, Yoshio Ishida, Hideo Otake, Kim In, Cho Chikun, Masaki Takemiya and Koichi Kobayashi. |
|
Toshihiro Shimamura (島村俊廣) |
1912–1991 |
9 dan |
|
|
Hidehiro Miyashita (宫下秀洋) |
1913–1976 |
9 dan |
|
|
Dogen Handa (半田道玄) |
1914–1974 |
9 dan |
|
|
Go Seigen (呉清源) |
1914– |
9 dan |
Wu Qingyuan in Chinese. is considered by many the greatest player of the 20th century, perhaps the greatest of all time. He had a superb match play record, before the current era dominated by annual titles. |
|
Kaku Takagawa (高川格) |
1915–1986 |
9 dan |
The first of only four players to receive the Honorary Honinbo title. |
|
Hosai Fujisawa (藤沢朋斎) |
1919–1993 |
9 dan |
one of the greatest players of the '60s. |
|
Eio Sakata (坂田栄男) |
1920–2010 |
9 dan |
his nicknames include "Razor Sakata", the "Master of myoushu" (brilliant move). He was the former longtime holder of most championship titles with 64. |
|
Shuchi Kubouchi (窪内秀知) |
1920– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-in. |
|
Toshio Sakai (酒井淑夫) |
1920–1983 |
6 dan |
|
|
Masao Sugiuchi (杉内雅男) |
1920– |
9 dan |
nicknamed "the God of Go" for his serious attitude towards Go. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Takeo Kajiwara (梶原武雄) |
1923– |
9 dan |
one of the "three crows". |
|
Sunao Sato (佐藤 直男) |
1924–2004 |
9 dan |
|
|
Hideyuki Fujisawa (藤沢秀行) |
1925–2009 |
9 dan |
is Honorary Kisei after winning the Kisei 6 times in a row. |
|
Toshiro Yamabe (山部俊郎) |
1926–2000 |
9 dan |
one of the "three crows". |
|
Keizo Suzuki (鈴木圭三) |
1927–1945 |
3 dan |
one of the "three crows". |
|
Yasuro Kikuchi (加藤朋子) |
1929– |
8 dan |
is the most famous amateur go player in Japan. |
|
Shuzo Ohira (大平修三) |
1930–1998 |
9 dan |
|
|
Naoki Miyamoto (宮本直毅) |
1934– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-in. |
|
Shoji Hashimoto (僑本昌二) |
1935– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-In. |
|
Yasuo Koyama (小山靖男) |
1937–2000 |
9 dan |
|
|
Takeo Ando (安藤武夫) |
1938– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Hiroaki Tōno (东野弘昭) |
1939– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-in. |
|
Norio Kudo (工藤紀夫) |
1940– |
9 dan |
current President for the International Go Federation. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Kunio Ishii (石井邦生) |
1941– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Rin Kaiho (林海峰) |
1942– |
9 dan |
was one of Go Seigen's students. Known for winning many titles at a young age. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Yasumasa Hane (羽根泰正) |
1944– |
9 dan |
father of Hane Naoki. |
|
Manfred Wimmer (マンフレッド・ウィマー) |
1944–1995 |
2 dan |
Born in Austria, became the first western Go professional in 1978, doing so with the Kansai Ki-in. Reached 2p the same year, and later brought Go to Kenya and Madagascar. |
|
Kunihisa Honda (本田邦久) |
1945– |
9 dan |
|
|
Masao Kato (加藤正夫) |
1947–2004 |
9 dan |
was the master of the attacking style, who died on December 30, 2004. |
|
Yoshio Ishida (石田芳夫) |
1948– |
9 dan |
is the youngest ever Honinbo winner and one of the strongest players of the 1970s. TV commentator. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Shigeru Baba (馬場滋) |
1949– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Goro Miyazawa (宮沢吾朗) |
1949– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Shuzo Awaji (淡路修三) |
1949– |
9 dan |
famous for his Go school. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Akira Ishida (石田章) |
1949– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Masaki Takemiya (武宮正樹) |
1951– |
9 dan |
is famous for his 'cosmic style', aiming for territory in the center of the board rather than the sides. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Koichi Kobayashi (小林光一) |
1952– |
9 dan |
has the third most titles in Japan with 57. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Cho Chikun (조치훈, 趙治勳) |
1956– |
9 dan |
Cho Chihun in Korean, is among the best players of the late 20th century - passed Sakata in late 2002 for most titles in Japan with 66. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
O Rissei (王立誠) |
1958– |
9 dan |
one of the first Taiwanese Go players to become a professional in Japan. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Hiroshi Yamashiro (山城宏) |
1958– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Satoshi Kataoka (片岡聡) |
1958– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Satoru Kobayashi (小林覚) |
1959– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
O Meien (王銘琬) |
1961– |
9 dan |
famous for his "Meien-isms", a special way of opening a game. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Michael Redmond (マイケル・レドモンド) |
1963– |
9 dan |
is the only (as of February 2008[update]) non-Asian (American) to attain rank of 9-dan. TV commentator for the Japanese network NHK. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Shinichi Aoki (青木紳一) |
1965– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Norimoto Yoda (依田紀基) |
1966– |
9 dan |
Has one of the best track records in international tournaments for Japan. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Toshiya Imamura (今村俊也) |
1966– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-in. |
|
Hideki Komatsu (小松英樹) |
1967– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Kikuyo Aoki (青木喜久代) |
1968– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Hans Reinhard Pietsch (ハンス・ピーチ) |
1968–2003 |
6 dan |
Known for spreading Go around the world. |
|
Tomoyasu Mimura (三村智保) |
1969– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Michihiro Morita (森田道博) |
1970– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Cho Sonjin (조선진, 趙善津) |
1970– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Ryu Shikun (류시훈, 柳時熏) |
1971– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Kimio Yamada (山田規三生) |
1972– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Satoshi Yuki (結城聡) |
1972– |
9 dan |
The third youngest player to become a professional, and second youngest professional for the Kansai Ki-in. Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-In. |
|
Catalin Taranu (タラヌ・カタリン) |
1973– |
5 dan |
One of Romania's best players and a pro in Japan. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Yukari Yoshihara (梅澤由香里) |
1973– |
5 dan |
The Go player who supervised the production of the manga Hikaru no Go. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Hideyuki Sakai (坂井秀至) |
1973– |
8 dan |
Won the World Amateur Go Championship in 2000. Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-in. |
|
Shinya Nakamura (仲邑信也) |
1973– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Atsushi Kato (加藤充志) |
1974– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Kaori Chinen (知念かおり) |
1974– |
4 dan |
Honorary Women's Kisei. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Shinji Takao (高尾紳路) |
1976– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Naoki Hane (羽根直樹) |
1976– |
9 dan |
In 2002, Hane broke the record for fastest promotion to 9 dan in Nihon Ki-in history. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Han Zenki (潘善琪) |
1977– |
7 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Tomochika Mizokami (溝上知親) |
1977– |
7 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Keigo Yamashita (山下敬吾) |
1978– |
9 dan |
Has an innovative style harking back to shinfuseki. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Kaori Aoba (青葉 かおり) |
1978– |
4 dan |
First professional to be defeated by a Go engine with a conventional handicap. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Kim Shushun (김수준, 金秀俊) |
1979– |
7 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
So Yokoku (蘇耀国) |
1979– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Cho U (張栩) |
1980– |
9 dan |
In 2003, Cho U broke the record for fastest promotion to 9 dan in Nihon Ki-in history. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Takehisa Matsumoto (松本武久) |
1980– |
6 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Rin Kono (河野臨) |
1981– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Ko Reibun (孔令文) |
1981– |
5 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Atsushi Tsuruyama (鶴山淳志) |
1981– |
6 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Kana Mannami (万波佳奈) |
1983– |
3 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Taiki Seto (瀬戸大樹) |
1984– |
6 dan |
Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-in. |
|
Nobuaki Anzai (安斎伸彰) |
1985– |
4 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
|
Ko Iso (黄翊祖) |
1987– |
7 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Yuta Iyama (井山裕太) |
1988– |
9 dan |
Became the youngest title holder ever in 2005 after winning the Agon Cup. 34th Meijin. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
|
Daisuke Murakawa (村川大介) |
1990– |
3 dan |
The youngest Kansai Ki-in pro ever. Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-in. |
Origin |
Name |
DoB–DoD |
Peak rank |
Notes |
|
Chen Zude (陈祖德) |
1944– |
9 dan |
was the chairman of Zhongguo Qiyuan from 1992–2003 and is also the current president of the association. Famous for popularizing the Chinese fuseki. |
|
Nie Weiping (聂卫平) |
1952– |
9 dan |
Challenged for many top international titles in the late 1980s. Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Liu Xiaoguang (刘小光) |
1960– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Cao Dayuan (曹大元) |
1962– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Ma Xiaochun (马晓春) |
1962– |
9 dan |
A top player in China during the 1990s. Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Feng Yun (丰云) |
1966– |
9 dan |
Second woman ever attain rank of 9-dan. Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Qian Yuping (錢宇平) |
1966– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Yu Bin (俞斌) |
1967– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Shao Weigang (邵煒剛) |
1973– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Chang Hao (常昊) |
1976– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Zhou Heyang (周鹤洋) |
1976– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Luo Xihe (罗洗河) |
1977– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Wang Lei (王磊) |
1978– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Ding Wei (丁偉) |
1979– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Huang Yizhong (黄奕中) |
1981– |
6 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Kong Jie (孔杰) |
1982– |
9 dan |
3 world championship titles. One of current top 3 players in the world. Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Qiu Jun (邱峻) |
1982– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Tang Li (唐莉) |
1982– |
1 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Hu Yaoyu (胡耀宇) |
1982– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Gu Li (古力) |
1983– |
9 dan |
7 World championship titles; One of top 3 players in the world. He had exceptional record between 2008 and 2010. He lost to Lee Sedol in 2011 BC card cup final. Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Xie He (谢赫) |
1984– |
5 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Liu Xing (刘星) |
1984– |
6 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Wang Xi (王檄) |
1984– |
6 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Piao Wenyao (朴文堯) |
1988– |
5 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Chen Yaoye (陳耀燁) |
1989– |
9 dan |
Youngest professional 9 dan at 17 years of age. Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Li Zhe (李喆) |
1989– |
4 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
|
Zhou Ruiyang (周睿羊) |
1991– |
5 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
Origin |
Name |
DOB–DOD |
Peak rank |
Notes |
|
Cho Namchul (조남철, 趙南哲) |
1923–2006 |
9 dan |
Founder of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Kang Cheol-min (강철민, 姜哲民) |
1939–2002 |
8 dan |
|
|
Kim In (김인, 金寅) |
1943– |
9 dan |
Won several titles during the 60s and 70s. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Ha Chanseok (하찬석, 河燦錫) |
1948– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Jimmy Cha (차민수, 車敏洙) |
1951– |
4 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Cho Hunhyun (조훈현, 曺薰鉉) |
1953– |
9 dan |
The strongest Go player in South Korea during the 1970s up to the period of domination from his student Lee Chang-ho. Holder of the most titles by a professional player. Also holder of the most consecutive title defense, winning the Paewang title 16 times in-a-row. 9 time world champion. |
|
Seo Bongsoo (서봉수, 徐奉洙) |
1953– |
9 dan |
was Cho Hunhyun's biggest rival in the '80s. Known for his excessive list of runner up titles. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Jiang Zhujiu (장주주, 江鑄久) |
1962– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Rui Naiwei (루이나이웨이, 芮乃伟) |
1963– |
9 dan |
First woman to attain rank of 9-dan. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Yoo Changhyuk (유창혁, 劉昌赫) |
1966– |
9 dan |
6 time world champion. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Janice Kim |
1969– |
3 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Lee Chang-ho (이창호, 李昌鎬) |
1975– |
9 dan |
The strongest players in the world between 1993–2004, he has won record 21 world championships since 1993. His last world title is 2010 Samsung cup. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Choi Myung-Hoon (최명훈, 崔明勳) |
1975– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
An Choyoung (안조영, 安祚永) |
1979– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Mok Jin-seok (목진석, 睦鎭碩) |
1980– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Alexandre Dinerchtein (디너스타인 알렉산더) |
1980– |
3 dan |
The first Russian professional Go player. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Cho Hanseung (조한승, 趙漢乘) |
1982– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Lee Sedol (이세돌; 李世乭) |
1983– |
9 dan |
Considered the strongest player in the world after Lee Chang-ho's reign. He won 2 world titles in 2011. He beat Gu Li in 2011 to win BC Card Cup. He obtained 13 world championship titles between 2002 and 2011. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Diana Koszegi (코세기 디아나) |
1983– |
1 dan |
The first Hungarian professional Go player. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Park Jungsang (박정상, 朴正祥) |
1984– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Hong Minpyo (홍민표, 洪旼杓) |
1984– |
5 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Park Seunghyun (박승현, 朴昇賢) |
1984– |
4 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Choi Cheol-han (최철한, 崔哲澣) |
1985– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Pak Yeong-hun (박영훈, 朴永訓) |
1985– |
9 dan |
A young and established Korean go professional. He reached 9 dan after 5 years, making him the youngest Korean 9 dan professional ever. 3 time world champion. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Kim Dong Hee (김동희, 金東熙) |
1985– |
2 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Won Seong-jin (원성진, 元晟溱) |
1985– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Song Tae Kon (송태곤, 宋泰坤) |
1986– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Heo Young-ho (허영호, 許映皓) |
1986– |
5 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Ko Geuntae (고근태, 高根台) |
1987– |
5 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Yun Junsang (윤준상, 尹畯相) |
1987– |
6 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
|
Kang Dongyun (강동윤, 姜東潤) |
1989– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |