Tesuji and Anti-Suji of Go
A book by Sakata Eio, translated by Bob Terry.
Here is David Carlton's review of the book.
Deshi Comments
Dieter: This book features 61 models or lines of play (suji) and the way to use them skillfully (tesuji). I used to be very fond of this book but now, after an n-th reading it has dawned upon me how this book lacks the most basic idea of structure. It's exemplary in the old discussion whether we can best learn from examples or from structured theory. The book certainly is very inspiring, if only inspiring to bring some structure into the ideas.
The essays in between are as entertaining and inspiring as those in Killer of Go by the same author, but the introduction on the difference between suji and tesuji could have been less academic.
Naustin--I have got to disagree with you on the last bit Dieter. As I have already noted else where I feel this explanation is very good. Not only does he explain suji and tesuji but shape also in a very clear and economical manner by showing the general nature of suji, and the showing how shape and tesuji are basically mirrors of one another. When a good move is found for defense it is good shape, when the same move is found on offense it is a tesuji but these are both examples of the general suji. The other aspect of Dieters claim about the structure of the book remains to be seen. I do look forward to spending alittle time with this book though.
Arjen--The book is out of print, and apparently very hard to get. If anyone has a copy he/she'd like to sell, I'm buying!
Juan: I recently bought it from Samarkand. I believe they still have copies available. Check them here: http://www.samarkand.net/Web_store/web_store.cgi?page=YU16A.html
Arjen: I just received a copy from Samarkand (Thanks, Juan :-)). It appears to be a good book. The introduction is clear enough. The book focuses on basic lines of play, with a wide range of applications. The emphasis is on case by case analysis. Each Suji receives quite a thorough analysis, and the short essays contain valuable suggestions for all beginners.
I'd like to compare the book with Tesuji by James Davies, which takes a purpose-orientated approach, thus providing more of a framework, but is less exhaustive. I feel that, if the categorization provided by Davies no longer suffices, Sakata's book is the place to start looking for the right Suji.