Career
He came young to the headship on the death of his father Honinbo Shuwa. He was the eldest son, but Murase Shuho had claims to be the natural successor. Shuetsu"s time was marked by intrigue, illness, and the collapse of the old order based on state support of the game of go, that had been in place for around 250 years.
Shuetsu relinquished control of the house, to the next brother, Shuho being kept in the cold.