Honinbo Doetsu

Hon'inbō Dōetsu
Full name Hon'inbō Dōetsu
Kanji 本因坊道悦
Born 1636
Japan
Died 1727
Japan
Teacher Hon'inbō Sanetsu
Rank 8 dan

Hon'inbō Dōetsu (本因坊道悦, 1636–1727) was a Japanese professional go player, who became the third head of the Honinbo house. His surname was Niwa, and he used a Buddhist name Nissho.

Biography

He was born in Matsuzaka, currently in Mie Prefecture. He was adopted as Honinbo heir in 1658. He was promoted to 7 dan in 1666. His final ranking was as 8 dan.

He challenged Yasui Sanchi to a long match. In the end 20 games were played, out of a theoretical 60, over seven years starting in 1668. Under the beating-down rules (see jubango) he forced Yasui down from sen (Black in each game, for a theoretical difference of two levels) to sen-ai-sen (Black-White-Black).

He was also active in oshirogo from 1660, for 15 years. In 1677 he stepped down as Honinbo head, handing over to Dosaku. He did however still meet an official requirement to play oshirogo; he was given a personal allowance of 20 koku of rice.[1] He is given the credit for establishing standard dimensions for go equipment.[1]

Preceded by
Hon'inbō Sanetsu
Hon'inbō
16581677
Succeeded by
Hon'inbō Dōsaku

Sources

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Go Monthly Review 1963/5, p.55