Minoru Kitani

Go player. Born in Kobe City. In 1917 (Taisho 6), he began studying under Torii Nabejiro (5th dan). In 1924, at the age of 15, he became a 1st dan. In 1933 (Showa 8), he announced a new opening move together with Go Seigen at the autumn Otego, and became a 6th dan that same year. In 1938, he played against Meijin Honinbo Shusai in his retirement match, and won by 5 points as the first player. Kawabata Yasunari's novel "Meijin" is modeled on this match. In 1981, he became a 9th dan. He won the 2nd and 3rd Highest Ranking Tournament in 1987 and 1988. His style of play was a forceful one, and he was nicknamed Kaidomaru from a young age. His pupils include such talented players as Tatsuaki Iwata, Shuzo Ohira, Katsuji Kata, Hideo Otake, Yoshio Ishida, Masao Kato, Masaki Takemiya, Koichi Kobayashi and Chikun Cho. Reiko Kobayashi, 6th dan, is his second daughter. She was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1965.

[Naotatsu Kono]

"The Complete Works of Minoru Kitani, 5 volumes (1977-78, Chikuma Shobo)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

棋士。神戸市に生まれる。1917年（大正6）鳥井鍋次郎(なべじろう)五段に教えを受ける。24年15歳で初段。33年（昭和8）秋の大手合で呉清源(ごせいげん)とともに新布石を発表し、この年六段となる。38年本因坊秀哉(しゅうさい)名人引退碁の対戦者となり、先番五目勝ち。川端康成の『名人』はこの対戦をモデルとしている。56年九段。57年、58年の第2期、第3期最高位戦で優勝した。棋風は力戦型で、若いころから怪童丸という異名をとった。門下に岩田達明、大平修三、加田克司、大竹英雄(ひでお)、石田芳夫、加藤正夫、武宮正樹(まさき)、小林光一、趙治勲(ちょうちくん)らの俊秀が輩出している。小林礼子六段は次女。65年紫綬褒章(しじゅほうしょう)を受章した。

［河野直達］

『『木谷実全集』全5巻（1977～78・筑摩書房）』

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