This is a series of translated snapshots intended to shed fresh light on some familiar facets of professional go, in the same way that old black-and-white photos of modern scenes can open windows in the mind.
Selection here is also meant as a personal recommendation and implict review of the books from which the excerpts are taken, although I cannot guarantee they are readily available. - JF
GO DURING THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN DYNASTIES
A great deal of the old histories of China is devoted to biographies. One such history, the Nan Qi Shu [History of the Southern Qi, which held sway only for the last quarter of the fifth century] has several biographies that mention prowess at weiqi (go). We present a small selection of these biographies here, together with, from other sources, biographies of the famous go players mentioned, since they were not quite famous enough to have their own biographies in the dynastic history.
There are many clues here to other facets of go history. The likely origin of the 9-dan system is an obvious one. Less obvious is the possible confirmation that 19x19 boards were in normal use then, since the dichotomy of styles mentioned was probably unlikely with a 17x17 board.
Ming Di referred to below was Xiao Luan (459-498) the 5th Southern Qi Emperor who reigned 494-499. Despite his love of go (shared with previous Qi emperors) he was a nasty piece of work who murdered his way to the throne.
Biography of Yu Yuan
Yuan was Director of the Section for Sacrifices...The Emperor Ming Di [reigned 494 to 498] loved weiqi but was very weak. The difference in grades was 8 or 9 stones, but the general attitude was to make him think he was of the third rank. He would play weiqi for stakes at this grade with Wang Kang of the first rank, but Wang would always indulgently help him, saying: 'Because Your Majesty played the knight's move, I could not cut.' The Emperor did not realise what was happening and believed him.
Biography of Xiao Huiji
Xiao Huiji was a native of Lanling. He was good at official script [lishu: an ancient style of calligraphy current in the Han dynasties] and playing weiqi. Of the people at that time who were good weiqi players, Wang Kang of Langya was of the first rank, and Chu Sizhuang of the Commandery of Wu and Xia Chisong of Kuaiji were both of the second rank. Chisong thought quickly and was good on the large scale, while Sizhuang thought slowly and was skilful in fighting between groups. In the Yongming era (483-494) [the Qi Emperor Wu Di] ordered Wang Kang to give grades for weiqi, and the Prince of Jingling, Xiao Zilang, had Huiji control the affairs."
Biography of Wang Chen
Wang Chen was Administrative Adviser and Gentleman of the Secretariat in the Cavalry Garrison of the Prince of Guiyang. The Qi Emperor Ming Di loved weiqi and set up a Weiqi Region and Districts. He made Liu Xiuren, Prince of Jian'an, the Senior Rectifier of the Weiqi Region, and made four people - Chen, along with Shen Bo, the Heir Apparent's Commandant of the Right, Yu Guizhi, Secretarial Court Gentleman of the Bureau of Waterways and Irrigation, and Wang Kang, Vice-Magistrate of Pengcheng - Junior Rectifiers. Chu Sizhuang and Fu Chuzhi, Audience Attendants, were made official Inquirers."
The Suzhou-fu Zhi [Annals of the Prefecture of Suzhou ]
Xia Chisong was a native of Kuaiji. The Emperor Wen Di [r. 424 þ 454] loved weiqi. Of the people at that time in Jiangzuo [mod. Jiangsu] who were good weiqi players, Wang Kang of Langya was of the first rank, and Chu Sizhuang of the Commandery of Wu and Chisong were of the second rank. Chisong thought quickly and was good on the large scale, while Sizhuang thought slowly and was skilful in fighting between groups. It is also said that whereas Wang Kang was inspired and fast, Sizhuang was skilful but slow, and whereas Kang played for influence, Chisong fought over each stone."
The Suzhou-fu Zhi [Annals of the Prefecture of Suzhou]
Chu Sizhuang was a native of the Commandery [of Wu]. He made a reputation by being good at weiqi. Wang Kang of Langya and Sizhuang were foremost and Xia Chisong was next. Chisong thought quickly and was good on the large scale, while Sizhuang thought slowly and was skilful in fighting between groups. At the time of the [Liu] Song Emperor Wen Di [r. 424 þ454], Yang Xuanbao was Governor of Kuaiji. The Emperor despatched Sizhunag to the east to play weiqi, with Xuanbao to make records of the games so as to bring them back and replay them in front of the Emperor.
The Southern Qi Emperor Gao Di [also] had Sizhuang play weiqi with Wang Kang. The game continued from around 8 a.m. to sunset but the Emperor grew weary and sent them back to the officials' part of the palace. The game was decided only in the fifth watch [around 4 a.m.]. Wang Kang fell asleep after the game but Sizhuang did not go to bed until dawn. Both players were appointed as Palace Stewards [i.e. implying they were fit to be mentors and companions of the Emperor]. Some said the reason he reached a high grade was connected with the way he thought so deeply. No-one could match him [in this].
The Sui Shu, Jing Ji Zhi [History of the Sui Dynasty, Record of Classics and Books ]
Chu Sizhuang wrote Jianyuan Yongming Qipin [Go grades of the Jianyuan era (479-483) of the Qi Emperor Gao Di and Yongming era (483-494) of the Emperor Wu Di] in two volumes.
