Let's explore the history of Go, one of the world's oldest intellectual games, originating in China around 4,000 to 5,000 years ago. Over time, the game evolved with changes in board size, setup, and even the shape of the stones. In the 8th century A.D., the famous Japanese minister Kibi brought Go from China to Japan, where it gained immense popularity among the aristocracy, common people, and even samurai.
Fast forward to the 16th century, when a unifying tournament held by Japanese War Commander Toyotomi Hideyoshi declared the Buddhist monk Nikkai as the master player. This marked the birth of a ranking system and the foundation of four major Go schools in Edo, now Tokyo. These schools scouted talented players, resulting in numerous advancements in Go theory, many of which are still used today.
During this Golden Age, the position of Godokoro, responsible for all Go affairs in Japan, held unprecedented power. However, the Meiji Restoration in 1868 led to the end of government support and salaries for Go players, ushering in a difficult period for the game.
Yet, it was during this time that Japan opened up to the West. Go made its way to Europe and the United States in the early 20th century. Japanese players introduced the game with Japanese terms, rules, and books, giving it the name "Go" in the West, despite its Chinese origin. This video sheds light on Go's fascinating journey from ancient China to becoming a worldwide game.
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Go, an ancient Chinese game, originated around 4,000 to 5,000 years ago, making it one of the world's oldest intellectual games.
The game's evolution over the years involved changes in board size, stone shapes, and materials. Initially, Go stones were square and made of wood.
In the 8th century A.D., Japanese Minister Kibi brought Go to Japan, where it gained popularity across social classes, including the samurai.
The 16th century marked a turning point when a unifying tournament was held to determine Japan's strongest Go player. This led to the establishment of a ranking system and four major Go schools.
The "Golden Age" of Japanese Go, lasting nearly 300 years, featured government support, salaries for Go professionals, and numerous advancements in Go theory. However, it came to an end with the Meiji Restoration in 1868, causing Go players to struggle for a living. Nonetheless, Go eventually spread to the West and became popular worldwide in the 20th century, taught by Japanese players. The Western name "Go" is derived from the Japanese name "Igo."
