Yasuharu Ōyama

Yasuharu Ōyama (大山 康晴 Ōyama Yasuharu, March 13, 1923 - July 26, 1992^[1]) was a professional shogi player, 15th Lifetime Meijin^[1] and president of Japan Shogi Association (1976 - 1989).^[2] He studied shogi under Kinjiro Kimi ^[ja] (木見金治郎, Kinjirō Kimi).^[1] He won 80 titles (2nd on record), 44 other type tournaments (2nd on record) and 1433 games (2nd on record) in life, and was awarded five lifetime titles: Lifetime Meijin, Lifetime Jūdan, Lifetime Ōi, Lifetime Kisei and Lifetime Ōshō.^[1] Among his 80 titles, 18 were the Meijin title (most prestigious title in shogi, along with Ryūō). He has appeared in the Meijin title match 25 times winning 18; he also holds the record for the most consecutive Meijin titles (13 in a row from 1959 to 1971), the most overall Meijin titles, and being the oldest player to challenge for the Meijin title, at age 63 in 1986.^{[citation needed]}

Yasuharu Ōyama
Oyama after winning the Meijin title for the first time in 1952.
Native name	大山康晴
Born	(1923-03-13)March 13, 1923
Hometown	Kurashiki, Okayama
Nationality	Japanese
Died	July 26, 1992(1992-07-26) (aged 69)
Career
Achieved professional status	January 1, 1940(1940-01-01) (aged 16)
Badge Number	26
Rank	9 dan
Teacher	Kinjiro Kimi [ja] (9 dan)
Lifetime titles	Lifetime Meijin Lifetime Tenth Dan Lifetime Kisei Lifetime Oi Lifetime Osho
Major titles won	80
Tournaments won	44
Career record	1433–781 (.647)
Notable students	Michio Ariyoshi Isao Nakata Hisashi Namekata
Websites
JSA profile page

Ōyama played as professional from 1940 until his death in 1992.^[1] His students include Michio Ariyoshi, Isao Nakata and Hisashi Namekata. He was awarded as honorary citizen of Kurashiki, Okayama, his birthplace^[1] and then Hyakkoku, Aomori (now merged to Oirase, Aomori).^[3]

Ōyama had a strong interest in other kinds of boardgames, including go, mahjong, chess, chu shogi^[4] and xiangqi. He founded Japan Xiangqi Association in 1973 and served as its president.^[5]

Honours

• Medal with Purple Ribbon (1979)
• Kikuchi Kan Prize (1987)
• Person of Cultural Merit (1990)
• Order of the Sacred Treasure, 2nd class, Gold and Silver Star (1992)
• Senior Fourth Rank (1992)

Gallery

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  Ōyama Meijin Memorial Hall in Kurashiki

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  Ōyama in 1935

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  Ōyama in 1939

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  Ōyama vs Tsukada 1948

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  Ōyama 1948

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  Ōyama in 1952

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  Ōyama (left) playing against Yoshio Kimura in 1952 with Prince Chichibu present

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  shogi position when Ōyama defeated Kimura in 1952 for the Meijin title

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  Ōyama & Takashima Kazukiyo in 1955

References

1. . 日本将棋連盟. 日本将棋連盟 (Japan Shogi Association). Archived from the original on 2014-09-23. Retrieved 2014-09-29.
2. . 日本将棋連盟. Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-09-29.
3. . Tooなび・青森情報サイト. Too Nippo Sha. Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-09-29.
4. "故・大山康晴名人による中将棋のススメ". 中将棋連盟. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
5. . シャンチー協会. 日本シャンチー協会. Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-09-29.