Hosai Fujisawa

Background

Hosai Fujisawa was born in Yokohama, Japan.

Career

He was among the best players of the 20th century. He became an insei at the Nihon Ki-in when he was 11 years old. He became one of Honinbō Shūsai"s disciples.

He was known for a strong sense of will, reading deeply and taking long turns.

He had a fuseki that was different from other players. Fujisawa would usually open the game on the 3-3 point in one of the corners, then make enclosures on the parallel corner when he played black.

When he played white he often played imitation go. He was known for playing two Jubango matches with Go Seigen, matches made up of 10 games.

These matches occurred in 1951 and 1952, the time when Fujisawa and Go were the only 9 dans.

Fujisawa lost both of the matches.

Achievements

• He was the first player to be promoted to 9 dan in the Oteai system when he won the Oteai seven times.