I-tsu-tsu Co. Ltd.

I-tsu-tsu Blog

Shogi

  • A Piece of Cake! Games You Can Learn Piece Moves–Shogi Puzzle–

    We, I-tsu-tsu Co., Ltd., have held events named “Let’s take a glance at Shogi world!” aiming to make Shogi popular around Japan. Our present theme for our events is how to make Shogi familiar lowering the hurdle to start playing Hon-Shogi, or Standard Shogi as opposed to other shogi variants. We are working on this theme day in, day out. Speaking of Shogi, there are many things to learn before you become to enjoy Hon-Shogi: movements of eight kinds of pieces, prohibited rules (Kinji-te, in Shogi term), and such like. Even starting the first step, you need to remember a lot. We have been struggling on making the path to

    Akiko Nakakura 24 January 2017

  • An Easy Game with Shogi – Create a Formation with tactful “Kiki”–

    It is quite difficult to master piece-movement and it’s ability, isn’t it? Once you memorize all of the pieces’ movements, you don’t feel it’s not very difficult thing. However, I notice there are many children who get confused with the difference between the movements of Gin (or Siliver) and Kin (or Gold) and with the movement of Kei (or Knight). Children are not to be blamed, since piece-movement abilities are quite virtual thing. Actually, it’s not easy to remember virtual movements. When you want to make invisible things visible in your imagination, you need decent amount of training. Then, I would like to introduce our original puzzles enhancing your understanding

    Akiko Nakakura 23 January 2017

  • Easy Shogi Game–Yama-Kuzushi–

    We have introduced games with our concept, “Learning the rules of piece-movements, let’s enjoy playing Shogi!” The other day, highlighted our actions including “Shogi Puzzle” and “Tag chasing a King”, we were introduced in a TV program titled “Shogi Focus.” We, I-tsu-tsu, have been working very hard on providing easier and more enjoyable way to enjoy Hon-Shogi. Hence, today I am going to introduce another fun game using Shogi pieces. It’s known as “Yama-Kuzushi” (Yama refers to as “mountain”, and Kuzushi means “to collapse” in English and some staff members call it “Shogi- Kuzushi”). Supposedly, this game might be the easiest among ones I’ve ever introduced, since you don’t need

    Akiko Nakakura 23 January 2017

  • Let’s Compare Nine Different Forms of Characters for Shogi Pieces!

    We are going to hold Shogi lessons for parents and children who learn Shogi for the first time. We prepare Shogi pieces of 9 different forms of characters to make the lesson even more enjoyable. So, we would like to introduce the features of each today. 1. Kinki We, I-tsu-tsu have Shogi pieces actually used for the 74th Meijin Title Match, the 3rd Kyoku. The form of character written on these pieces is called “Kinki.” “Kinki” is the most famous and familiar form in the world of Shogi pieces. It is said that the form of “Kinki” was originated when Toyoshima Ryuzan, a piece craftsman, and known as a founder

    Nae Kanamoto 23 January 2017

  • Five recommended Japanese Manga (comics) on Shogi besides “3-gatsu no Lion” (March Comes in Like a Lion)

    As many know, “3-gatsu no Lion” (March Comes in Like a Lion)(Hakusensha) is at the zenith of its popularity. Its Anime movie is coming this autumn and live-action is also on the way to be released next year. I am very sure that this Manga has triggered the interest of many people for Shogi. As a matter of fact, I myself am one of them. Taking this as a great opportunity, I hope that people deepen their interests in Shogi and even start actually playing Shogi. So, to help them to do so, I would like to introduce five more Shogi Manga books today. I am more than happy if

    Nae Kanamoto 20 January 2017

  • The Charm of Shogi

    The movie “Always Sanchome no Yuhi (Always: Sunset on Third Street)” was very popular in Japan a few years ago.  In the movie, there were quite a few nostalgic and retro sights such as a family dinner time that the whole family gathered around the small table, and these scenes were very appealing to many Japanese people. Lately, however, it is said that we have fewer opportunities for direct family communications due to growing nuclear families and other factors.  I personally feel sorry for this phenomenon.  What do you think about that? I think it is a very precious time for the family to get together to talk about daily

    Nae Kanamoto 20 January 2017

  • Let’s Find Out Profound Japanese Greetings!

    “Onegaishimasu” (I’d like to rely on you to play this game with me.) “Makemashita” (I have lost.) “Arigatou-gozaimasu” (Expressing one’s gratitude to the opponent for playing a game) These are three courtesies in Shogi. We often talk about them on our blog. The phrase of “Everything begins and ends with bowing” is applicable not only to Shogi but also to every traditional Japanese culture, and represents beauty of it. When we go to school or office in the morning, we say “Ohayou-gozaimasu” (Good morning), and “Sayounara”(Good-bye) when we leave. We also exchange greetings when we see neighbors on the way home. Greeting is a part of courtesy. Courtesy is very

    Nae Kanamoto 20 January 2017

  • Five recommended Manga (comic) books on traditional Japanese culture for female readers

    Traditional Japanese culture. I think that people are interested in traditional Japanese culture, but many find it somehow difficult to start. As a matter of fact, if you go to a theater or a museum of traditional Japanese culture without any background knowledge, you cannot fully appreciate the contents. I myself had such an experience when I went to see “Bunraku”(a traditional puppet theater of Japan) as a school activity. I could not follow the storyline, and felt sleepy during the show. I think we need some preparation to fully enjoy or appreciate traditional Japanese culture. However, I suppose many people would say, “I don’t want to study any more

    Nae Kanamoto 20 January 2017

  • Visiting Birthplace of a Shogi Legend, Kurashiki

    The other day, I went to Kurashiki, Okayama Pref. with our staff members. Kurashiki is famous for its beautiful streetscape of merchant houses with white walls. It’s generally known as a city of art, and has a strong connection with Shogi. The birthplace of Super Shogi Legend who went down in history. Kurashiki-shi is the birthplace of Yasuharu Oyama who was the 15th Shogi Eisei Meijin, or Grand master. Yasuharu Oyama who was the 15th Shogi Eisei Meijin was surely a legend who went down in history with his brilliant career, such as attending major title matches continuously (50 times), winning general major tournaments (44 times). And he acquired 5

    Akiko Nakakura 20 January 2017

  • Your Bragging! : 5 Trivia around Shogi Equipment–Board and Pieces–

    We have introduced our purchasing special Shogi board and pieces, which were used in Meijin Title Match the other day, with the intent of giving children dream. In a related move, I interviewed a craftsman who produces Shogi equipment and then this gave me the urge to learn deeper about Shogi equipment. I have read a large number of Shogi materials, books, magazines and so on. Bish-bash-bosh! I discovered a lot of interesting episodes. It would be a waste not to share them. And, I do want to tell our readers them, five trivia about Shogi equipment, my personal “heh”-things on particular. 1. “A Puddle of Blood”: Belly Button on

    Nae Kanamoto 17 January 2017

  • Five Good Reasons for Moms to Play Shogi with Children

    We previously introduced five comic books on Shogi besides “Sangatsu no Raion (March Comes in Like a Lion)” on our blog, and one of those is “Hirake Koma (Open pieces)” by Minami Kyuuta. In this comic book, not only Takara, a main character, but also his mother started learning Shogi. She enjoyed Shogi as much as Takara or even more. She attended a good-looking instructor’s Shogi lesson, participated in a tournament with her classmates and so forth. So, today, I would like to talk about five good reasons for mothers to start Shogi with children. Shogi is not only for children. Why don’t moms also enjoy playing Shogi just like

    Nae Kanamoto 11 January 2017

  • Five Manga Books on Shogi

    As many know, “3-gatsu no Lion” (March Comes in Like a Lion)(Hakusensha) is at the zenith of its popularity. Its Anime movie is coming this autumn and live-action is also on the way to be released next year. I am very sure that this Manga has triggered the interest of many people for Shogi. As a matter of fact, I myself am one of them. Taking this as a great opportunity, I hope that people deepen their interests in Shogi and even start actually playing Shogi. So, to help them to do so, I would like to introduce five more Shogi Manga books today. I am more than happy if

    Nae Kanamoto 26 December 2016

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