New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-29
THE CANE OF cor
From The japan Maj.

The game of Go" was invented by the Chinese
Emperor Shun or bis predecessor about 1920 B. C2
and hourished 10 China especially, from about 300
B. c. to 400 A. D.. A proof that these dates are not
merely traditional that Chinese works Of the sec
ond century before the Christian era refer 70 the
game comparing certain scenes In human life TO
90 IL is recorded that, on one occasion,
Chinese Emperor, who was at war with his nephew,
proposed to settle the dispute by game OF 20;
aud that the offer was accepted One player OF
those old days specially mentioned. HIS memory
was 80 great that. when game was flushed lie
could throw down the board ana Iep,aee an d rue
by many Japanese players at present, VINO thlnk
nothing of the feat. Ii Is frequently mentioned ny
them, however, as proof that man he's increased Ia
memory and brain-power, although It is probably
due 10 more constant practice. Chess is generally
believed to be the most ancient scientific game IN
the world: but rs Is much more modern than. Go
There is no evidence that modern chess was played
before A. d. 900. 1t Is now known that the chess
in more ancient times was played with Dice and
skill.
Kioto monk named Sansha was the most skill
full player in Japan 800 years ago. He was also the
irst 10 establish a school where the game was
taught. When lyeyasu became Slogan, he estab-
lshed Go academy, with this monk as chief
try became officers Of the school, with salaries paid
by the Government. Sansha changed his name ~
Honimbo. There were four other principal teach
ers the two most celebrated Of whom were named
Inouye aud Yasui. These five before their deaths
each selected their best pupils, who succeeded TO
their positions and salaries, on condition that they
The player who is now recognized as the best iss
gentleman named Murasse. residing in Toxic. He
belonged to the house of Inouye, of the hered-
itary PLAYERS aforementioned, bat having beaten
the head Of the house az play, he set school for
himself. His supremacy seems likely to be dis
puted by young man named Nakagaws, whose
system of play is said to be very striking and in
genIous 1t Is interesting 10 notice that when .
leading player has met bus SUPERIOR or When 10
feels his faculties and skill growing weaker from
old age other causes, ne retres from TO circles,
and plays no more. The remainder Of his existence
is SAID to be very. melancholy; His DAYS and nights
previously were devoted TO the game which he IS
thus forced TO abandon and literally, the li9ht or
his life has been extin gulshed. After the RestorI-
ton for some years the interest taken ~ western
matters caused Go to be almost wholly neglected.
but recently wave of revival OF the old game
seems to be- passing over the land, and 1t IL again
becoming popular CHIEFLY among the ottlcia classes:
All the Ministers play, Mr.. Okuma being credited
with the most skill among them. In the army ana
navy, Also IL Is the constant amusement OF DOth
officers and men. Mr.. horscbelt thinks That almost
every operation of modern warfare can find cOun-
terpart in game of Go ATTACKS retreats,
sieges. strategic movements, are all repre-
sented. Good Go-players are also scaIcer than
good chess-players. AID the game requires more
sHdy and memory Than chess japanese require
and all great players are grey-haIred men,
A G0-bCard contains 3Ol squares - hlhetcen
squares each row. The pieces are placed ON thi
points where the lines cross each other, white aud
black pieces being ald down alternately. he OBJ
ject Is 10 combine the stones OF one color IN such
manner az 10 lnclOse within chain a. many yaeant
Enclosed being the winner. The opponents pieces
within such a chain are taken 0at aud .3ccd IN his
held while his cham II he has completed one, may
be surrounded, not only outside, but inside ana "a
removed completely IN tie same manner A. isolated
pieces These are virtually the only rules OF the
game. As usual In many Chinese and Japanese
books analogies are sought to be established be-
tween the game and things IN Heaven above, 10
the earth beneath. ana IN the waters under TIC
earth" Thus there are 3G1 squares on the board.
linking one as a starting point, for The unit - ths
beginning of ali things we have $50 remaining, aud
are there not 800 degrees IN the cree OF the heav'
ems The board has four quarters and the year
four seasOns there ninety days q season, ard
ninety points on quarter OF the board There re-
seventytwo points around the edge OF the beard.
and therefre seventy-tWO divisions Of the year;
the pieces are black and white, 50 are day and
night.
large literature exists on Go. The books
generally contain examples or good games, stuul's
on games between celebrated players aad problems
just IN chess In these latter the task D. generally
20 destroy an opponents chain from tle u.de.
monthly periodical Is also published by Sir Narassa.
lie assemblies leading players OF ms school once
every ,louth. Play commences early IA tae MORN
ing, and sometimes a game lasts uniii we following
night, That IS 10 say, thrty-aX nouns. Arft Games
are then pub.Fhod ~ the magazine with CRITICISMS
OF tho moves. usually brief ana Of the caiHeoJd
style, by the editor himself.
lt was tho custom ~ former times Tor puNiIs iu
tho academy when their course Was huisled, o.
travel about the country, challenging celebrated
players and supporting themselves hy teaching tho
glme. Pms mode OF livelihood was common asa
among poets tencers aud other specialists. BOO
containing tho names OF al 30 ccieuriues wcre
published and the travelling player coming %
town. knew at once with whom hetOud contend.
There are at present about 800 PLAYERS on the lowest
rank the number growing RAPIDLY less ~ he rank
becomes higher, until we reach the seventh which
contains but one PLAYER, Mr.. Murasse. before meu-
toned The eighth and the ninth rauks have been
the highest, and there have only been nine persons
who have attained these grades st"ce they wers
first established, These ranks are purely Japan
ESQ institution; they arc wholly unknown IN
China. but haye been copied IN L0oeaoo.