It's been a long time, hasn't it?
It's been a long time, hasn't it?
Wu Yes. I came back from Xinjing about three days ago. I've been given leave for a month or so.
I'm sure you're busy, but I'd like to talk today about the go situation in Manchuria, especially in Xinjing.
Wu You've really become quite the magazine reporter, haven't you!
(somewhat disconcerted) No...
Wu I've been hounded by so much red tape lately that I haven't even had time to play go.
Shades of your university days?
Wu (laughs) Not at all!
Don't you get to play with Mr Oiso of that electric lamp outfit in Mukden [now Changchun]?
Wu You mean the brother of [Nihon Ki-in pro] Oiso Shigeo? No. I've only heard the name.
Well, how about Mr Komuchi in Anshan?
Wu I think I will have a chance to play him in the near future. They say he plays at about 3-dan.
Overall, is go thriving in Manchuria?
Wu Yes. There's still a feeling of hustle and bustle everywhere, so there's no way you can enjoy go in a settled way. But as there are few other indoor pastimes for the Japanese there, go and shogi are popular. However, it's still the case that there are no go clubs, in Xinjing at any rate.
Eh? So why's that then?
Wu It's because, as you know, the population has suddenly increased from around 50,000 to over 300,000. There is no housing, An 8-mat room costs about 45 yen. And there aren't too many of them. A half-decent furnished apartment costs 10 yen per mat. Even if you tried to run a go club, it would struggle because of the cost.
So where do you play? Are there any work clubs, say?
Wu Yes. I go to the Bank of Japan social club, the Japanese Embassy and the Japanese-Manchurian Army Club - when I want to play go. They know each other well and they know who the strong players are, and where. I've heard that in Manchuria they will even go into the regions to look for go partners, and think nothing of travelling thirty or forty miles.
Who are the strong players? In Xinjing...
Wu Well, I often play quick games with Nakajima Chitayoshi of the Imperial Household Department. At even. He's already an old man of 60 or so, but he is the strongest player in Xinjing.
There are lots of strong players in the Kwantung Army. Colonel Hara takes three stones from me, and Air Marshal Ogasawara of Air Force HQ is also around three stones. We often knock up a few games at Air Force HQ. There are around 10 players. I forget his name but there is a second lieutenant who takes two stones from me. He is the strongest player in my range of acquaintances there. At the Japanese Embassy, too, there are lots of people who like to play go. I'm often invited but I don't often have the time to go.
How about Manchurian people?
Indeed. You may well be right. Your brother, Go Izumi 6-dan, once visited Manchuria and apparently played before the Emperor.
Wu The Emperor is said to be very fond of go. It was an honour for my brother. Actually, every time he mentions that occasion, you can tell he is very happy to have such memories.
It's changing the subject, but have you got any interesting stories to tell us?
Even old gossip will do!
Wu Yes, there is one. I dare not mention his name, but there was a director of a major Japanese company. He fancies himself as a go player. He was on the lookout for prospective opponents in the lobby of a hotel in Xinjing, and I just happened to be passing by.
And?
Wu He asked me if I could play go. I thought he was a bit odd.
And you played him?
Wu Yes. He told me to take five stones, so I played on five stones. But we changed the handicap according to the result of every game and I ended up giving him 5 stones - ha, ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha. I'd love to have seen his face! Anyway, thank you very much.