, also known as , was one of the most successful professional
Go players
This article gives an overview of well-known Go professional, professional and amateur players of the board game Go (game), Go throughout the ages. The page has been divided into sections based on the era in which the Go players played and the ...
of the twentieth century.
Biography
Kaku Takagawa won the
Honinbō title nine times in a row, from 1952 to 1960, and was subsequently awarded the permanent title of
Honorary Honinbo. He then chose Shukaku as his Honinbō name. He is one of the few Honorary Honinbos. He was known for having a healthy rivalry with
Sakata Eio. This could be seen as Sakata would constantly beat Takagawa from 1959 to 1966 in the finals of major tournaments.
Takagawa's books, translated from their original
Japanese, were instrumental in educating Westerners in the ways of Go. He also wrote a series of articles from 1961 through 1977 for the
Nihon Ki-in
The Nihon Ki-in (), also known as the Japan Go Association, is the main organizational body for Go in Japan, overseeing Japan's professional system and issuing diplomas for amateur dan rankings. It is based in Tokyo. The other major Go associat ...
which was the primary English source of information about Go during that period. These articles were later compiled into ''Improve Your Intuition'', still considered a valuable guide for Go players.
Style
Sakata Eio was known to talk about Takagawa's style of play. He included him in his book ''Killer Of Go'', saying he'd drag out his games so they'd be longer and then his opponent would lose their edge. He was so very cool and collected during games, that he would never tense up before a match. This could be seen when he strolled to many Honinbō title wins. He was also noted to having a very steady and elegant style.
Promotion record
Titles and runners-up
Books
*How to Play Go, Nihon Ki-in 195
reviewused copiescover
*Vital Points of Go, Nihon Ki-in 195
*The Power of the Star-Point ()
*Improve Your Intuition () Volume 1, () Volume 2, () Volume 3.
External links
GoGameWorld ProfileGoBase ProfileSensei's Library Profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Takagawa, Kaku
1915 births
1986 deaths
Japanese Go players
Go (game) writers
Recipients of the Medal with Purple Ribbon
Recipients of the Order of the Rising Sun, 3rd class