History of Shogi

Shogi originates from the Indian games Chaturanga (for 2 players) and Chaturaji (for 4 players), dated to the 3rd – 6th centuries AD. The difference between the two games is unclear but hypothesized. It is thought that Chaturaji included an element of gambling due to the use of dice.

Chaturanga spread from India toward the Indochinese peninsula, retaining its “aesthetic” characteristics (an 8×8 board, sculpted pieces placed within squares) while adapting to local cultural peculiarities: Sittuyin (Myanmar), Makruk (Thailand).

Westward, a similar route gave rise to: Shatranj (Persia) and Chess (the West). Further north of India, the game found similar success but with different “aesthetic” characteristics (a 9×10 board, pieces placed at the intersections of the squares): Xiangqi (China) and Janggi (Korea).

The path of chess in Japan is debated. It is thought that the game arrived in Japan sometime between the 6th and possibly as late as the 11th century. The game was embraced in the Land of the Rising Sun and became popular, with numerous variants in pieces, board sizes, and rules. Some versions are extremely large with numerous pieces. In some cases, it is believed that these were not true game versions but artistic ones.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), Shogi was officially recognized by the Shogunate and became a profession with stipends for Masters. The Court became a setting for games between Masters, culminating in the annual O-Shogi tradition on November 17, which today is celebrated as Shogi Day.

The transition from the Edo era to the Meiji era (1868-1912) changed the relationship between power and players. From an elite game, thanks to the press, it spread further among the population. The Tokyo Shogi Renmei (1924) attests to the increasing reach of the game beyond the limited domains of the Court. With the Tokyo Shogi Renmei and its later evolution into the Nihon Shogi Renmei, the genuine professionalization of the game began. The Meijin (Master) became a “prize” title awarded to the winner of a tournament. The Meijin (名人) is followed by other prestigious titles: Ryūō (竜王), Kisei (棋聖), Ōi (王位), Ōshō (王将), Kiō (棋王), Ōza (王座), and Eiō (叡王).

Shogi, due in part to the development of online gaming platforms, has spread significantly beyond Japan’s borders. Numerous players can be found online, with the most active nationalities including (in alphabetical order): Belarus, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Russia, the United States of America, and Ukraine.

Finally, regarding the arrival of Shogi in Italy, the central and unique role of the Associazione Italiana Shogi since 1999 must be remembered.