Yamashiro Ouka Title Match 1

I blurt out those words just as cherry blossom trees were in full bloom.

My apprentice and I were working through some long-sequence Shogi puzzles when it hit me.

“To …… Kyoto?”

My apprentice sitting next to me, Ai Hinatsuru looks up from the Shogi magazine open in front of us with a curious look in her eyes. The tatami room window is open, letting both sunlight and a warm spring breeze inside.

“Yeah, Kyoto. You’re still on break, right?”

“For about another week, yes ……”

It’s the first time in a while that Ai, a fifth grader this April, has had a long vacation.

Unlike her Master, Ai is a model student who not only gets good grades but finished her spring break homework straightaway and has spent her time researching Shogi, hanging out with the Grade Schooler Practice Group girls and basically taking advantage of her last time off as a fourth grader.

And, just like the school year in Japan, the Shogi world calendar starts in April. So, as long as they’re not involved in any title matches, Shogi pros are in the middle of a long vacation too.

The grueling placement matches are over.

Even better, I’ve been promoted to the C-1 Division and defended my title as Dragon King Ryuo.

Add in the fact that I met both my apprentices during that time, and this past year has been really busy.

I need some time to reset and get ready for another year of new battles and the research grind. A quick trip to Kyoto with my apprentice while she’s on spring break wouldn’t be a bad idea.

My train of thought reaching that point, I ask Ai, “Have you ever been to Kyoto?”

“Umm …… I don’t remember much, but I think so. I’ve visited all the big tourist spots in Japan.”

“Suppose I should’ve expected that considering your mother owns a famous inn.”

“But, but … I really don’t remember anything! I want to go to Kyoto with you, Master!!”

Tossing aside the Shogi puzzle magazine, one of her favorite things in the world, Ai starts chanting, “Kyoto! Kyoooto!”

So cute♡

“I want to go to Kiyomizu Temple! Oh, and the Kamo River, too! And …… and Honnoji Temple! I really want to see Honnoji!”

“Sure, sure,” I say, watching my apprentice bounce around like an excited puppy. “But, we already have somewhere to go this time.”

“Uwhee? Where ……?”

“First, Arashiyama.”

It’s one of the best-known tourist spots in Kyoto …… No, in all of Japan.

“We’re going to a temple there called Tenryuji.”

“Tenryuji?”

Ai must not have heard of it before because she’s practically got question marks in her eyes.

There are seriously tons of temples in Kyoto, so I don’t blame her. But Tenryuji is famous enough that I’m sure she’d recognize a picture if she saw it.

“Do we have something to do there?”

“There’s a title match going on. Yamashiro Ouka.”

“Ah ……!”

Out of all six women’s titles, Yama shiro Ou ka (山 城 桜 花) is the only one that has the character for flower, the ka at the end. It’s the elegant and graceful title.

“When it comes to Shogi players, who live most of their lives indoors, Shogi is about the only thing that can get us to go outside. It’s not like we have dates to go on.”

“……………”

“Hm? Did I say something weird?”

“No. Not really.”

Is it because she’s getting into the higher elementary grades? Ai’s got a very grown-up look on her face that’s impossible to read.

“Since this will be my first time seeing a Women’s Title Match in person, I’m sure there’ll be plenty for me to learn. I would like to go to gain valuable experience for the future.”

“Of course, there’ll be lots to learn.”

Caught off guard by my apprentice using formal wording out of nowhere, I collect my thoughts and explain why it’s held in Kyoto in the first place.

“The Yamashiro Ouka Title Match is unique. It’s fun to go and just watch.”

“Unique ……?”

“For starters, it’s three total matches. There’re only two title matches set up like that in both pro Shogi and Women’s Shogi combined, Yamashiro Ouka and Women’s King.”

There are more if you include newcomer and amateur tournaments, but pros don’t use that format because winning two in a row would seal the deal. For comparison, the Ryuo Challenger Match has three total matches.

“Next, the second and third matches take place two days in a row.”

“It would be hard enough playing league matches twice in two days …… But, it must be exhausting playing for a title like that!”

The matches themselves are over real quick and you have to have nerves of steel to get over a loss in Match Two and play a decent game. Of course, it’s physically demanding as well.

“But I’d have to say the fact that Match Two and Match Three get played out in the open at some of Kyoto’s most famous sites is what makes the Yamashiro Ouka Title Match really special.”

“In the open? So people are there watching the match?”

“That’s right. You went through something similar at the Mynavi Preliminaries, so think of it like that but on a bigger stage.”

A whole bunch of matches happen at once during Mynavi Preliminaries.

Except, there’s only one happening at the Yamashiro Ouka Title Match and both players are decked out in gorgeous kimonos in front of beautiful scenery. It’s designed to draw as much attention as possible.

It certainly helps that there are tons of foreign tourists in Kyoto. The number of people watching is on a completely different scale compared to regular matches.

Cameras go off every second and the players can hear what the audience is saying.

Under conditions like that, it’s easy to tell who has the mental fortitude to take the Yamashiro Ouka title and who doesn’t.

“But …… Why play Shogi in those conditions?”

“Kyoto itself is the focus for the Ouka title. Think of it like a collaboration between the traditional Japanese sport of Shogi and the city, using the title match to boost tourism.”

“Now I get it!”

Growing up at a traditional Japanese-style inn, Ai is sensitive to the word tourism.

“Since Shogi matches last a long time and players don’t move much, it’s the perfect photo op for everyone!”

“Very true. Shogi doesn’t offer the exciting sights and sounds of usual sports, but that becomes a good thing when the sites and displays are part of the event.”

From a foreigner’s point of view, all these traditional things in the same spot might be artistically appealing.

“Although the first match is in Tokyo, people in Kyoto use the matches to promote the city. It becomes one big show, which is rare for title matches.”

“That sounds like fun!”

Ai’s got Yamashiro Ouka fever.

I take my smartphone off its charger and check the schedule.

“We could be in Kyoto before their lunch break if we leave now …… Okay! Grab your things and meet me at the door in 40 seconds!!”

“Master! Let’s hurry!”

And so, we left on a spring trip to Kyoto.

“Well, that didn’t take long at all.”

A quick ride on the Kanjou Line from Fukushima to Osaka Station and it’s barely 30 minutes to Kyoto Station on an express train.

“Now, how to proceed from here.”

“Another train?”

“Well, let’s see ……”

There’s still plenty of time.

While it’s not the fastest option, there’s something I want my apprentice to ride.

“Since we’re here, why don’t we take the Randen?”

“Randen?”

“The Keifuku Dentesu Railway’s Main Arashiyama Line, or Randen for short. It’s fun.”

Taking my apprentice’s hand, we walk into Kyoto proper.

Warm spring sun fills the air.

It’s been warm for a couple of days now, so the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Pink petals ride a sudden breeze and flutter down onto Ai’s hair.

“Spring has sprung!”

Gently holding these springtime presents in the palm of her hand, Ai puckers her cherry-blossom-colored lips and blows them back into the air.

I watch the petals dance and say, “I hear it’s still cold in Tokyo.”

“Mom and Daddy said it’s chilly on the north coast!”

She’s probably thinking about how cold it is in Ishikawa Prefecture where she was born.

Ai takes my arm and hugs it close to her body.

“I saw on TV that there’s a cold front hovering over eastern Japan, so the cherry blossoms over there won’t bloom for a while yet!”

“I’m glad they’re blooming here in time for the Yamashiro Ouka Title Match …… After all, the Ou (桜) in Yamashiro Ouka is the character for cherry blossom.”

The air is so comfy and warm that I’m getting drowsy just walking around.

“…… If I knew it was going to be this nice out,” I mumble with a hint of regret.

–––I should’ve invited Ai Yashajin along ……

Ai Yashajin, my second apprentice who the girls have nicknamed Ten-chan, has advanced all the way to the Challenger Match of the Mynavi Open Women’s Shogi Tournament and could win her own title.

But the person she’ll be playing in that Challenger Match is playing to defend the Yamashiro Ouka title today.

Having her come all the way out here just to watch would just taste bad.

That’s why I didn’t even try. Even if I did, I doubt she would’ve come.

But, even so …… We’re a small, three-person Shogi family. It would be nice to get outside and experience all this together.

I want to show that lonely girl what spring looks like ……

Whether or not Ai Hinatsuru understands where my thoughts are going, she looks at me and says, “Let’s come back next year with Ten-chan!”

“…… Yeah, let’s. Thanks, Ai.”

I’m so lucky to have such a kind apprentice. Moments like this remind me just how glad I am that I took her under my wing.

The train station comes into view as we are talking.

Seeing the station and the train next to it–––.

“! Woooow ……!”

Her eyes light up.

There aren’t many trams in Japan at all–––but one of those street-faring trains is sitting right there.

“See? Isn’t this going to be fun?”

“For sure! A dong train!”

“?!”

W …… well, they do have a lower-pitched bell, so some people do call them dong trains, but …… but still!

“Wow! Master, just listen to that dong!! Dong! Dong!”

“…… Ai, umm–––.”

“Uwhee? Is something wrong?”

“No, but …… How should I put this? Maybe …… you could, I don’t know …… Use better wording–––”

“???”

Ai looks like I just gave her brainteaser, leaning so far to the side her body looks like a—?—question mark.

“…… Double dong?”

“No!!”

Why does she think combining the two dongs makes it better?!

We arrived at Arashiyama while this back and forth was going on.

Ai is just so impressed looking at the mountain from Togetsu-kyo Bridge that she can’t contain her excitement.

She keeps saying, “It’s so pretty!”

The Katsura River is flowing beneath our feet.

This scenery has been written about in every possible way for centuries.

That being said, the ancient Japan vibe certainly isn’t as strong as it used to be.

It’s impossible to overlook all the souvenir shops between the historical sites or the continuous stream of tour buses shuttling in tourists who never stop taking selfies.

Streets in Kyoto are already some of the narrowest in Japan, which puts the traffic jams here on a level of their own.

“That’s a lot of tourists …… Maybe we should hurry on past,” I suggest once I get an Apprentice at Arashiyama picture. But Ai puts her foot down, which is unusual for her.

“B-b-but! I want to buy souvenirs for my friends!”

“There’ll be time on the way out.”

“Awww!”

Ai tears her sorrowful eyes away from a souvenir shop. Man, that’s cute.

But she was back to her usual self in no time.

That’s because the road into Tenryuji Temple is jam-packed full of souvenir shops.

Since the number of tourists around plummets after we get away from Togetsu-kyo Bridge, we get to walk at our own pace down wide and open streets.

“It’s decently warm today, so why don’t we get some green tea ice cream?”

“Green tea!♡”

It’s synonymous with Kyoto. Walking down the streets while snacking on green tea flavored snow cones, ice cream, smoothies or whatever is lots of fun.

I take a few pictures of Ai licking her green tea ice cream cone and enjoying every bite on our way to the temple and we arrive in no time.

It’s impossible to miss because of the massive boulder with characters that spell out Tenryuji sitting out front.

“Temples host matches, too! I thought they always happened at inns or hotels.”

“Shogi can be played anywhere there’s a tatami room big enough for it. You might be surprised how many matches happen at temples.”

On the flipside, we have to stay and eat someplace else outside of the temples … more often than not.

While that’s inconvenient, of course, the history behind the settings and the quiet atmosphere make up for it. Lots of great matches take place inside of temple walls.

“Tenryuji Temple hosts quite a few title matches. The temple itself is a world heritage site and the grounds have been used as movie sets before.”

“In movies?!”

“Toei Uzumasa Movie Village is close by. Don’t you remember Filming Studio Station on the Randen?”

“So, that’s why!”

Kyoto’s various charms are working their magic on Ai. She’s hooked.

“Master, let’s hurry up and go inside!”

“Why don’t we walk around Sagano Shrine a bit first? We won’t have any time for sightseeing as soon as any of the association staff spot us.”

Looping away from Tenryuji Temple, we make for Sagano Shrine.

“This shrine is said to be good for people looking for relationships or to have kids.”

“!!”

“There is a divine stone statue on the grounds called the okameishi. Legend has it that any wish you have will be granted within a year with just one touch. Since we’re already here, why don’t we go pay it a visit?”

“Yes, let’s!!!!!”

She’s chomping at the bit.

I should’ve known she was determined to become a strong Shogi player. Big Sis and I were the same way back when we were little.

Ai goes straight up to the divine statue and starts rubbing it like she’s expecting a genie to come out. After immortalizing this precious moment with a few photos, the two of us leave the shrine and head toward the mountain.

“Uwhee. There’s so much bamboo out here.”

“Very true. Heh heh heh ……”

How’s she going to react when she sees it?

A quick climb and we’re at Tenryuji Temple’s north exit. Except we go right past it and up another hill.

Then–––Ai comes to a surprised halt as soon as that road opens up in front of us.

“A bamboo archway! Oh …… wooow!!”

The sun is high in the sky right before lunchtime, but there’s enough bamboo on both sides to block out the rays.

“Bamboo Grove.”

You could say it’s Sagano’s biggest tourist attraction, but it doesn’t cost any money to go inside. Anyone can come and go as they please. That’s just how deep the history in Kyoto runs.

“I …… I’ve seen this place on TV!!”

Looking more impressed by this than anything else all day, Ai looks up at the sky through the bamboo stalks.

“Beautiful …… The air, the light, everything is green ……”

“Yep. Sure has that I’m in Kyoto feel to it.”

This place shows up in commercials all the time.

There are so many foreign tourists here that taking a picture without someone else in the frame is easier said than done. But, with a little luck and great timing, I get a nice Apprentice at Bamboo Grove picture. A very nice one!

All …… of my pictures have a grade school girl in them ……

No, no. I’m just documenting my apprentice’s growth.

I don’t have any ulterior motives for taking pictures of a little girl. Ai’s parents (especially her mother) have been asking to see her smiling face a lot recently.

“Master, did you get a cute picture?”

“Y-yeah. A perfect one.”

“Let’s take one together this time!”

Ai goes up to the closest foreigner and says, “Footo puriizu!”

They must have understood because they take a picture of the two of us.

Then they come up to her and say, “Hey sweetie, can we have a picture with you too?” and suddenly Ai is in the middle of their photo. She’s so cute I bet she looks like a Japanese doll to them.

“Me too, me too!” Even more foreign tourists gather around and the next thing I know Ai is the star of an impromptu photo shoot.

Ai’s cute charms break language barriers ……

“That’s one cute little sister you have there.”

I try to figure out how to respond to one of the foreign guys talking to me, but Ai says from my side.

“Hii izu mai masutaa! Doragon kingu!!”

“???”

…… That’s got to be confusing. Sorry.

Finally, the photo rush is over. Able to catch a breath, we retrace our steps back to Tenryuji Temple’s north gate.

… And get spotted by association staff the moment we step onto the grounds.

“Ah! Ryuo!”

“And Hinatsuru-sensei! Welcome, welcome! Please, right this way! Don’t be shy!”

It’s only been a year since she left the north coast.

This child who’s only played Shogi for a year and a half is now in a position to be called sensei.

That’s proof enough that the Shogi world revolves around talent.

The association employee leads us to the staff break room. I ask him about the match along the way.

“Has lunch break started?”

“Yes, it has. The challenger went to break during her turn a little early.”

“I see ……”

The rules say it’s fine for a player to use their own waiting time to start the break earlier than scheduled. I bet it’s easier to think things over in a private room rather than in front of the board.

Especially for someone as hotheaded as she is ……

“Hello. I’m Yaichi Kuzuryu. Pardon me.”

“P-Please pardon me! Women’s League member, Ai Hinatsuru!!”

We stand in the staff break room doorway and announce ourselves in big voices.

Everyone is expected to introduce themselves like this whenever they travel to local title matches to do research on their own time. It’s important for members of the Sub League and Practice League to introduce themselves by saying their Master first. Since this is the first time Ai has come to a title match that I’m not playing in, I spoke a bit more formally than necessary to show her how things are done.

Adults tend to like kids with good manners.

Sure enough, all the geezers in Kyoto’s Shogi world take to her right away, offering her yatsuhashi, nikki ame and all sorts of candy and juice.

“Well, if it isn’t the Ryuo,” says a man dressed in traditional Japanese clothing sitting next to an analysis board when Ai and I come close.

Seiichi Tsukimitsu 9-dan. The Shogi Association chairman.

“Miss Ai Hinatsuru as well. How great of you to join us.”

“Th …… Thank you for having me! I’ve come to do research!!”

“Very admirable.”

The chairman is blind, but still looks in Ai’s direction and compliments her while smiling with his eyes.

Taking a look around, I notice something’s different.

“Huh? Did Ms. Oga go somewhere?”

Sasari Oga, the chairman’s secretary and retired Women’s League 1-dan, usually follows the chairman around like a shadow. It’s weird not seeing her with him.

“She is working as the match recorder today.”

“Ms. Oga is? That’s unusual.”

It’s not all that strange for retired players to be match recorders or Shogi journalists, but for her to spend time away from the chairman is just bizarre.

“She was born in Kyoto, you see. The locals will be much happier to see her in the spotlight than myself.”

“Ahh, I see.”

“The match recorder receives almost as much attention as the players themselves. I thought local Shogi fans would like an opportunity to see her in her element, so I assured her that I would be fine by myself.”

“But, did Ms. Oga protest? She didn’t cry or anything?”

“She said, One would rather die than be abandoned, in a very serious tone.”

That’s a hundred million times heavier than what I was thinking ……

“T-That’s Ms. Oga, alright. She’s committed her life to you ……”

“I would prefer that she not shackle her own future for my sake.”

It’s not the chairman’s fault that …… Well, maybe it is if you look at the bigger picture.

“But she’s doing what she does because she wants to.”

“That puts me in a difficult position. She should not need to rely on me forever. As the saying goes, Let your darling children travel. Surely, Ryuo, you wish for your own apprentice to grow strong under her own steam, do you not?”

“Well, yes, I do, but …… Ai is already a full-fledged member of the Women’s League. She doesn’t rely on me much at all anymore.”

The chairman looks in Ai’s direction.

“How would you react, Miss Hinatsuru, if you were told something similar?”

“Well ……”

She thinks it over for a few seconds.

“I would do what Master asks to give him a false sense of security before finding proof that he’s seeing another woman.”

A shiver crawls up my spine as the chairman turns back to me and says, “Though, I must say,” with a smile. “Your timing is truly impeccable, Ryuo. She is waiting for you.”

“Come …… again?”

“Would you be willing to pay the challenger a visit?”

“Visit ……? As in, go to the break room? During lunch?”

“Precisely,” the chairman nods before he leans in and says quietly so that only I can hear, “because this match needs to be more competitive. You will see what I mean.”

That woman was halfway through her box lunch when she spits fire at the mere sight of me.

The Challenger–––Women’s King Ryou Tsukiyomizaka.

Since her mind was somewhere else when Match One of the Yamashiro Ouka Title Match was played in Tokyo, she got completely destroyed and is now against the ropes.

So, yeah, I wasn’t expecting a Yo, Yaichi! Nice to see you! by any means, but …… I didn’t think she’d be this bad.

If I were going to give this scene a name, it’d be Restless Youth.

She never wears any hakama over pants whenever she puts on a kimono, so she already looks like one of those women of the night …… But, with her obi sash hanging loose and those long legs out in the open like this, she looks more seductive than beautiful.

Just to be clear …… Very seductive.

I can’t have my grade school–aged apprentice seeing this, so I block Ai’s view with my back. She must be scared because she’s almost hiding behind me and has a good grip on my shirt.

Cautiously, very cautiously, I ask, “Y-you’re not drinking, right ……?”

“I ain’t gonna knock one back today. Not with all those people watching.”

…… Today?

“I can never get used to this freakin’ kimono. I loosened it up a bit so I could eat without getting squeezed half to death, but meh ……”

“Which is how this happened ……”

Men’s kimonos get tied with a sash around the waist, so they’re not that bad compared to women’s ones. They can be uncomfortable to wear while eating because the sash gets tied just under their boobs.

At that rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’d loosen the obi to get a breath of fresh air.

Even male pros strip down a bit during break time, so this wasn’t exactly a bad idea, but ……

“Ehh, I can just get this all fixed up later. There’s gotta be an attendant around somewhere.”

“This is a temple, remember? You think there are any?”

An inn is one thing, but the chances that someone who knows how to put on a female kimono is just hanging around are pretty slim. A priestess, maybe?

“If anyone here would know how to fix that kimono, it’d be Machi. But, asking your opponent to fix year clothes would probably taste bad ……”

“Hah! I’d rather go back out there and play like this!”

“Oh, no, no! You can’t do that!! Think about what would happen if you showed up looking like this after I was in your breakroom during lunch!! Rumors would spread like wildfire!!”

“You better own up, Trash.”

“Own up to what?!”

This truly bizarre back-and-forth keeps going until–––.

“Uh …… umm ……”

Ai pokes her head out from her hiding place behind me and says in the tiniest voice, “I, I can tie obi ……”

“Not bad, Small Fry! You’re a lot more useful than that Master of yours.”

Ryou is thrilled.

“I’ll even tip you if I get this title. How’s 500 yen grab you?”

That’s all ……?

“Excuse me, Tsukiyomizaka-sensei? Don’t forget that this girl here is already a member of the Women’s League …… One that you’ve played against before ……”

“Shut it, useless Trash! Learn something from your pint-sized apprentice and make yourself handy. What’re you even doing here, anyway?”

I’d love to leave right about now.

While part of me regrets coming to Kyoto at all, I just know I’ll get an earful from the chairman if I back out now. I can already see it.

Pushing forward is hell, and hell is waiting if I go back …… Meaning, going forward would be the lesser of two hells.

“But, what could I possibly do? Giving any Shogi advice would cause all sorts of problems and I’d be labeled as a cheater for helping you. But I can’t do anything other than Shogi ……”

“Tell me a funny story.”

“Hoooow?!!”

Listen, just because someone lives in Osaka doesn’t mean they can come up with something hilarious on the spot!

But, in the end, I know she just wants distraction.

“It’s your fault if I lose, got that?”

“That’s a bit much, don’t you think ……?”

The title match is over if Ryou loses today.

The wonderful people of Kyoto City have spent the last year making sure everything is ready for a third match. All their time and planning will go to waste if she can’t pull out a win.

I don’t know what the Match Two board looks like right now, but judging from Ryou’s mood, I’d say things aren’t going well for her.

It’s not every day she sighs to herself and complains left and right.

“Besides, Machi’s got too much of an advantage in Kyoto. Anything and everything goes her way. The location, the dress, even the food …… I’m away, simple as that.”

“……”

I honestly do feel sorry for her about that.

Machi Kugui was born and raised in Kyoto. Add in the fact that her family descended from nobility, and there’s no person alive worthier of holding the title Yamashiro Ouka.

Basically–––no one wants anyone else to hold that title.

Of course, nobody’s going to say that to Ryou’s face.

Even so, I bet she can feel that vibe through her skin in a big match like this one. People in Kyoto are experts at getting their true feelings across without words anyway.

So long as Ryou isn’t totally oblivious,

…… Is it okay for me to become Yamashiro Ouka?

Or: Screw it!! I’ll take that big, fat title you love so much and shove it in all your faces!!

She’s feeling one way or the other.

No matter which one though, it won’t help her Shogi at all. Strong emotions of any kind make reading the board next to impossible.

Ryou points at her boxed lunch with the chopsticks in her hand and says, “What …… is this stuff? Like … vegetarian? I get that it’s healthy or whatever, but it does nothing for me ……”

“I can relate to what you’re saying.”

I also feel sorry for her about this.

There are tons of options for lunch whenever matches take place at inns or hotels, but we have to take whatever’s available when we play at temples, shrines or civic centers.

Ryou is unusual among Women’s League players because she eats a lot during matches. Probably, she can’t focus without a full stomach.

Little things like that can have a big effect on matches.

Not that Machi, who eats next to nothing, anticipated that weakness and had any control over today’s menu.

“All I’m asking you is to improve the atmosphere so I can enjoy something while scarfing down this tasteless rabbit food. Entertain me.”

Who died and made you king?

But–––.

“Food, hmm ……”

Word has it that Shogi has become popular enough that a manga was recently made about the food players eat during matches, so more people are asking us about that.

Commentators always need to have a few stories prepared to fill time during title matches, so I have a small stock ready to go at all times.

Yes, yes.

There is one story I have about food and Shogi.

“Let me tell you about what happened about a month after Ai came to Kansai–––.”