Taisho
The Taishō period, or Taishō era, (Japanese: 大正時代, Hepburn: Taishō jidai) refers to the period of Japanese history corresponding to the reign of Emperor Taishō, from July 30, 1912 until his death on December 25, 1926. The new emperor was a sickly man, which prompted the shift in political power from the old oligarchic group of elder statesmen (or genrō) to the Imperial Diet of Japan and the democratic parties. Thus, the era is considered the time of the liberal movement known as the "Taishō democracy" in Japan. It was preceded by the chaotic Meiji period and succeeded by the militaristic-driven first part of the Shōwa period.
Following Japanese custom, the starting date of the Taishō period corresponds to Taishō 1 (大正元年 = Taishō gannen, where gannen means "first year"). The ending date corresponds to Taishō 15.
Several important go events happened during this period.
- The cementing of Honinbo Shusai's position as Meijin (1914-1940).
- Introduction of time limits and the Oteai rank promotion system in professional games by the Hiseikai group (1922-24), and, thus, birth of the modern playing system (Japanese: 総互先制, English: All tagaisen system).
- Dissolution of the influential Hoensha (1879-1924) playing group and institution.
- Founding of the Nihon Kiin (1924-).
- Founding of the Kiseisha (1924-41), an important competing group to the Nihon Kiin.
- Honinbo Shusai and Karigane Junichi's famous 1926 game. (Game 1 of the Nihon Kiin v. Kiseisha Win & Continue Match series (1926-7). As seen in Hikaru no Go, Chap. 8)
- Birth of Go Seigen, Takagawa Kaku, Sakata Eio, Fujisawa Shuko, Kageyama Toshiro and more.