This month we focus on the "old guard" of Japanese go.
On December 19, the first games of the Meijin League occurred. Hashimoto Utarō 9d, age 66, lost his first game to Honda Kunihisa 9d (game record: Honda vs. Hashimoto). On the same day, 71 year old Iwamoto Kaoru 9d defeated Fujisawa Hōsai 9d (game record: Iwamoto vs. Fujisawa).
Sakata Eio 9d began his defense of his Nihon Ki'in Championship on Christmas Day. The 53 year old was challenged by Katō Masao, already 8d at the age of 26. Youth prevailed (game record: Katō vs. Sakata).
Unclear of the date, but at some point around the end of the year, a tournament for foreigners in Japan occurred, dubbed the "Gaijin Masters." Stuart Dowsey 3d dominated, undefeated. John Power 2d finished second.
- Keith L. Arnold, hka
Photo from Go Review, game records courtesy of SmartGoOne