Read Online A Gathering of Spirits: Japan's Ghost Story Tradition: From Folklore and Kabuki to Anime and Manga by Patrick Drazen - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Patrick Drazen
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Heian period, he was no less than a go instructor to the Emperor and his household. A jealous rival, however, challenged Sai to a game, and not only cheated but accused Sai of cheating. Sai lost his composure, lost the match, lost his position at court and his reputation; two days later, he threw himself into the river. Death, however, was not the end.
Sai is clearly a wronged servant in the Okiku mold (Okiku’s story is featured in chapter 10). But his ghost doesn’t stick around in order to see justice done or to wallow in misery. Sai loved the game of go so much that he could never get enough of it. He especially longed for the chance to make one specific play, the so-called “Divine Move”. However, being tied to a game board, Sai’s ghost was at the mercy of whoever owned the board, even if it meant the owner seldom or never played the game.
When Hikaru lets him out and about, staying close to Hikaru by taking up residence “in a corner of his soul,” Sai sometimes reacts with the amazement and even childishness of someone trying to take in centuries of change. Jet planes, push-button umbrellas, vending machines, the Internet—these are just some of the changes Sai observes and absorbs (some changes more easily than others).
Sai had previously waited in the go board for hundreds of years, until he was discovered by a very different child from Hikaru, Honinbo Shusaku.
Sidebar: Honinbo Shusaku
Honinbo Shusaku (1829-1862) is considered by many to be the greatest go player of the 19th century, if not in the entire history of the game. Shusaku was born Kuwahara Torajiro on June 6, 1829, the son of a merchant in a village north of Hiroshima. By the age of six he was already known as a prodigy. Lord Asano, the daimyo (lord) of the region, heard of the child’s abilities. After playing a game with him, Asano became his patron, and allowed him to get lessons from his own personal trainer.
In November 1837 Shusaku was sent to Tokyo (then still called Edo) to become a student of the Honinbo school. Two years later, Shusaku was awarded a diploma at age 10. In 1840, during a visit back home, he was awarded a yearly stipend by Lord Asano. Arriving back in Edo in September 1841, Shusaku was given the name we now know him under. In 1844 he left for another stay at Onomichi, this time staying there for eighteen months.
In July 1846, at age 17, during his travel back to Edo, Shusaku met Gennan Inseki, of whom it is said that he was strong but had the bad luck of living in a time when there were several other extremely strong players.
Back in Edo, Shusaku was asked to become the heir of Shuwa, who was to become the next head of the Honinbo house, but he refused because of his obligations towards Lord Asano and towards his own family. After some mediation, the Asano clan relinquished its claim, so in early 1847 Shusaku could become Shuwa’s heir.
Later that year, Josaku died, and Shuwa became the new leader of the Honinbo house. Shuwa was already recognized as the strongest player of the day. In 1848 Shusaku was officially recognized as Shuwa’s heir, still no more than 19 years old.
In 1862, a cholera epidemic broke out in Edo, and several disciples of the Honinbo house caught the disease. Shusaku was active in caring for the sick, which resulted in his catching the disease himself. On August 10, 1862, only 33 years old, he died.
xxx
All this would seem to confirm Hikaru’s original hunch: that the go board in his grandfather’s attic was an antique. After all, he can see where the wood was stained by the blood of the dying Shusaku. However, he’s the only one who can see those stains.
At first, Hikaru would seem to be the least likely person to help Sai reach his goal. He doesn’t know anything about go; furthermore, he doesn’t care. But, in order to keep Sai from pestering him, Hikaru begins taking go lessons (in exchange for Sai’s help with his history homework), and is gradually drawn into the game on his
Sai is clearly a wronged servant in the Okiku mold (Okiku’s story is featured in chapter 10). But his ghost doesn’t stick around in order to see justice done or to wallow in misery. Sai loved the game of go so much that he could never get enough of it. He especially longed for the chance to make one specific play, the so-called “Divine Move”. However, being tied to a game board, Sai’s ghost was at the mercy of whoever owned the board, even if it meant the owner seldom or never played the game.
When Hikaru lets him out and about, staying close to Hikaru by taking up residence “in a corner of his soul,” Sai sometimes reacts with the amazement and even childishness of someone trying to take in centuries of change. Jet planes, push-button umbrellas, vending machines, the Internet—these are just some of the changes Sai observes and absorbs (some changes more easily than others).
Sai had previously waited in the go board for hundreds of years, until he was discovered by a very different child from Hikaru, Honinbo Shusaku.
Sidebar: Honinbo Shusaku
Honinbo Shusaku (1829-1862) is considered by many to be the greatest go player of the 19th century, if not in the entire history of the game. Shusaku was born Kuwahara Torajiro on June 6, 1829, the son of a merchant in a village north of Hiroshima. By the age of six he was already known as a prodigy. Lord Asano, the daimyo (lord) of the region, heard of the child’s abilities. After playing a game with him, Asano became his patron, and allowed him to get lessons from his own personal trainer.
In November 1837 Shusaku was sent to Tokyo (then still called Edo) to become a student of the Honinbo school. Two years later, Shusaku was awarded a diploma at age 10. In 1840, during a visit back home, he was awarded a yearly stipend by Lord Asano. Arriving back in Edo in September 1841, Shusaku was given the name we now know him under. In 1844 he left for another stay at Onomichi, this time staying there for eighteen months.
In July 1846, at age 17, during his travel back to Edo, Shusaku met Gennan Inseki, of whom it is said that he was strong but had the bad luck of living in a time when there were several other extremely strong players.
Back in Edo, Shusaku was asked to become the heir of Shuwa, who was to become the next head of the Honinbo house, but he refused because of his obligations towards Lord Asano and towards his own family. After some mediation, the Asano clan relinquished its claim, so in early 1847 Shusaku could become Shuwa’s heir.
Later that year, Josaku died, and Shuwa became the new leader of the Honinbo house. Shuwa was already recognized as the strongest player of the day. In 1848 Shusaku was officially recognized as Shuwa’s heir, still no more than 19 years old.
In 1862, a cholera epidemic broke out in Edo, and several disciples of the Honinbo house caught the disease. Shusaku was active in caring for the sick, which resulted in his catching the disease himself. On August 10, 1862, only 33 years old, he died.
xxx
All this would seem to confirm Hikaru’s original hunch: that the go board in his grandfather’s attic was an antique. After all, he can see where the wood was stained by the blood of the dying Shusaku. However, he’s the only one who can see those stains.
At first, Hikaru would seem to be the least likely person to help Sai reach his goal. He doesn’t know anything about go; furthermore, he doesn’t care. But, in order to keep Sai from pestering him, Hikaru begins taking go lessons (in exchange for Sai’s help with his history homework), and is gradually drawn into the game on his
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