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FightingSpirit

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Kiai
Path: GoodPlay   · Prev: Karui   · Next: Kikashi
    Keywords: Go term

Kiai stands for fighting spirit.

As is not unusual with Japanese words, the English term doesn't quite convey the exact feeling of the Japanese word. Surely an oriental [1] or orientalist can give a more adequate description of the concept.


HolIgor: Interesting that the higher the level of the book, the more often the term kiai is referred to. Go Seigen uses it often, for example. It seems that good players are often afraid of being "kikashied" (kikasare), being forced to do something. They are looking for the opportunity to find a counter for each move of the opponent's.


Andre Engels: From the places where I have read discussion of kiai, it seems to be about 'not letting your opponent have their way'. This is especially important with kikashi as HolIgor mentions - very good kiai is to take the opponent's kikashi, answer in an unexpected way, and either get sente or turn it into a thank you move. It applies to other situations also, however, for example if the opponent tries to make an exchange that secures territory on both sides, it is kiai to break through and counterattack. Maybe kiai is best understood as the opposite of submissive play? Just a guess.


[1] The following may have nothing to do with Go.... I see the term "oriental" still being used in this day and age, but it is not entirely correct. Many of us prefer the term "asian". Some don't care. However, it is something to keep in mind since the subject of asians comes up frequently in the world of Go. And as for an "orientalist" I don't even want to get started with that ;-)

SAS: "Asian" and "oriental" don't mean the same thing. And here in Britain, "Asian" is very often used to mean "from the Indian subcontinent".


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This is a copy of the living page "Kiai" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2003 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.