Women's Kisei

(女流棋聖戦) This is the female-only namesake of the Japanese Kisei title, though its prestige among the women’s titles is considerably lower than the open Kisei because of its quickplay format. The 2020 Nihon Ki-in ordering of women's events is 1. Women's Honinbo, 2. Women's Meijin, 3. Tachiaoi Cup (former Aidu Chuo Hospital Cup), 4. Women's Kisei, 5. Female Strongest (domestic Senko Cup).

Winning the 21st edition, Ueno Asami 2p became the youngest Female Kisei at 16 years 3 months (*).

Nakamura Sumire broke the record by winning the 26th edition at 13 years 11 months, at the same time becoming the youngest ever titleholder in Japan.

For some reason, this title has eluded Fujisawa Rina, who has won 26 other titles but has yet to win this one, and reached even the challenger spot only once.

For the 28th title contested in Jan 2025, the challenge to Ueno Risa was Mukai Chiaki, who beat Ueno Asami for the first time on 16 Dec 2024. In the semifinals, Mukai Chiaki beat Fujisawa Rina, while Ueno Asami beat Suzuki Ayumi. But despite beating Japan’s top two rated female players on the way, Mukai’s challenge was unsuccesful: Ueno Risa scored 2–0.

(*) Reference thanks to John Fairbairn

• More information at Female Kisei, Go to Everyone