But in the same way that Japanese university entrants are allowed to coast for a few years before they are thrown back into the similar inferno of a salaryman's life, insei who qualify to be professional 1-dan can also take a breather. In China it's not like that . Relax and you'd be swamped in the tidal wave of new talent. This difference between the two countries is also reflected in the way go is run. The Japanese pro normally plays one game then has a day or two, or three, off.
Chinese pros are more used to playing a solid week at a time , more like the western chess scene.
Unless he's made it to a final, the Japanese pro plays most often in the same place, the Nihon Ki-in or one of its branches. The Chinese pro has a hectic life travelling round different venues in a huge country. He will also be trying hard to clock up airmiles too, because overseas is where the big bucks are. The Japanese pro usually has a warm and cosy relationship with a teacher. He may well be the only pupil, and he will often live in the master's house.