Japan Shogi Association
日
本
将
棋
連
盟
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Abstract
The Nihon Shogi Renmei (NSR) is the main organization for shogi in Japan, playing a significant cultural and professional role. It is a Kōeki Shadan Hōjin (public interest organization), funded by donations and commercial activities, promoting shogi through tournaments, publications, and international collaborations. It includes professional players, students, and local members. Access to the profession is regulated by the Shōreikai with strict criteria. The NSR collaborates with associations in Japan and abroad, recognizing the Italian Shogi Association since 1999.
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Japan Shogi Association
The Nihon Shogi Renmei – NSR (日本将棋連盟) represents the organizational pinnacle of shogi in Japan. The so-called Japanese chess is much more than a game; it holds a deeply rooted cultural role in Japanese society. Over the centuries, shogi has transformed from a pastime for the cultural elite of the court into a widely popular game, practiced and followed by many Japanese people. This social transformation and the growing number of enthusiasts also led to the establishment of the professional shogi player as a career.
The Nihon Shogi Renmei is a public interest organization, a Kōeki Shadan Hōjin (公益社団法人), meaning a private association of public interest. “Kōeki” and “Shadan Hōjin” translate to “public interest” and “corporate juridical person,” respectively. Thus, the NSR is a corporate public interest organization.
A Kōeki Shadan Hōjin has a legal foundation and recognition by the Japanese government, obtained through a rigorous evaluation process. These organizations benefit from tax incentives but must meet high transparency standards. Their funding comes from donations, government subsidies, and commercial activities. The status of a KSH is a guarantee of officiality and reliability.
The Nihon Shogi Renmei is composed of:
Regular members (正会員 – seikaiin) such as professional shogi players of 4-dan rank or higher, professional female shogi players of 4-dan rank or higher or titleholders, and shogi instructors (指導棋士 – shidō kishi).
Other members with fewer rights: students of the professional shogi school (奨励会員 – shōreikaiin), and members of local branches (支部会員 – shibukaiin).
The General Assembly is composed of regular members and meets at least once a year.
The Board of Directors, consisting of the President (会長 – kaichō) and Board Members, handles the NSR’s management.
The Nihon Shogi Renmei aims to promote shogi in Japan and abroad, including its cultural aspects. The main “tools” include organizing tournaments and events, publishing books and magazines, and collaborating with online platforms. Among its international activities, the connections with foreign associations and the organization of the International Shogi Forum (国際将棋フォーラム), a triennial event featuring players from around the world, stand out.
Playing shogi is a profession in Japan, but access to it is strictly regulated by the Nihon Shogi Renmei, which mentors and selects students through a dedicated shogi school: the Shōreikai (奨励会). Not all students become professionals; only the winners of the selection tournament by the age of 26 achieve this status. Other paths to the profession exist but are rather rare.
In Japan, the NSR collaborates with the Japan Women’s Professional Shogi Association (日本女子プロ将棋協会) and the Japan Amateur Shogi Association (日本アマチュア将棋連盟). Abroad, the Nihon Shogi Renmei collaborates with and recognizes numerous national-level associations. In Italy, since 1999, the NSR has recognized only the Associazione Italiana Shogi. Every three years, through an in-person tournament, the AIS selects the Italian representative for the International Shogi Forum.
The authority of the Nihon Shogi Renmei and its central role in Japan and the world are recognized by all shogi associations.
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Timeline
1612: The first Ohashi Sōkei is granted the status of Shogi-dokoro (the equivalent of the modern Meijin) by Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.
September 8, 1924: The Tokyo Shogi Club, Shogi Domeisha, and Tokyo Shogi Kenkyukai merge to form the Tokyo Shogi Renmei. This date is considered the founding date of the Nihon Shogi Renmei.
1927: The Kisei-kai, active in Kansai, joins the Tokyo Shogi Renmei, which adopts the new name Nihon Shogi Renmei.
1935: The introduction of a merit-based system for the Meijin title is announced, with the title to be awarded through a tournament among 8-dan players.
1937: The first Meijin tournament concludes with Kimura Yoshiou emerging as the victor.
1947: After a brief period of disputes and the unification of the shogi world in 1937, the organization reverts to the name Nihon Shogi Renmei.
1975: The first Joryu Meijin-i-sen (women’s shogi Meijin tournament) is held. Takojima Akiko becomes the first Joryu Meijin (women’s Meijin).
1989: The Joryu Kishikai (Association of Women Shogi Players) is founded as a sub-organization.
1999: The Nihon Shogi Renmei hosts the first International Shogi Forum.
2007: A group of female shogi players splits from the Nihon Shogi Renmei to form the LPSA (Japan Women’s Professional Shogi Association).
May 2008: President Yonenaga Kunio announces the Nihon Shogi Renmei’s intention to seek recognition as a Kōeki Shadan Hōjin (public interest organization).
April 1, 2009: A new Kishikai (Association of Shogi Players) is established, which also includes female shogi players.
April 1, 2011: The Nihon Shogi Renmei becomes a Kōeki Shadan Hōjin (public interest organization) under the full name Kōeki Shadan Hōjin Nihon Shogi Renmei.
February 20, 2017: Karolina Styczyńska becomes the first professional shogi player without Japanese citizenship, achieving the rank of Joryu 2-kyu.
2024: The NSR celebrates the centenary of its founding.
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Headquarters
The Nihon Shogi Renmei has two locations:
- In Tokyo
(Main Headquarters)
Hulic Shogi Kaikan Sendagaya Building - In Takatsuki, Osaka Prefecture
(Secondary Headquarters)
Kansai Shogi Kaikan