The Master of Go

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“It may be said that the Master was plagued in his last match by modern rationalism, to which fussy rules were everything, from which all the grace and elegance of Go as art had disappeared, which quite dispensed with respect for elders and attached no importance to mutual respect as human beings. From the way of Go the beauty of Japan and the Orient had fled. Everything had become science and regulation. The road to advancement in rank, which controlled the life of a player, had become a meticulous point system. One conducted the battle only to win, and there was no margin for remembering the dignity and the fragrance of Go as an art. The modern way was to insist upon doing battle under conditions of abstract justice...”

A story by Kawabata Yasunari chronicling a tournament championship Go match. Known for its evocative prose, layered metaphor, and glacial plot pacing. Grognards will immediately recognize all the character archetypes despite the book being written 30 odd years before the tabletop gaming scene would even be established. A classic written by a man who understood the why board games are srs bsns better than most.

Characters

• Honinbo Shūsai: The old master and quintessential graybeard. Has no family, few friends, and doesn't really care about anything except filling his time playing games. Generally considered to be this guy, but gets incredibly passive aggressive about Otaké's incessant rules lawyering.
• Minoru Otaké: An up-and-coming powergamer challenging the master for his title. Young, excitable, and peak rules lawyer. Wants everybody to know he won by the book.