| Title
| Title Holder
Player Information
| Challenger
Determination
| Title Match
Information
| Other Title
Information
|
K
i
s
e
i
|
 |
Yamashita Keigo
(Kisei, Oza)
b. 1978 (Japan)
Disciple of: Kikuchi Yasuro
Achieved the rank of professional shodan in 1993. Promoted to 9 dan in 2003. |
June-October
2 Six-player leagues (Round Robin) with a one-round playoff. |
January-March
Best of 7 |
Prize: ¥42,000,000
Sponsor: Yomiuri Newspaper
Began: 1977
Different Title Holders: 8 |
M
e
i
j
i
n |
 |
Cho U
(Meijin, Gosei)
b. 1980 (Taiwan)
Disciple of: Rin Kaiho
Defeated Kato Masao in 2003 to claim the Honinbo title. |
December-August
1 Nine-player League (Round Robin). |
September-November
Best of 7 |
Prize: ¥37,000,000
Sponsor: Asahi Newspaper
Began: 1958 as Japan's Strongest Player
Tournament
Different Title Holders: 7 |
H
o
n
i
n
b
o |
 |
Hane Naoki
(Honinbo)
b. 1976 (Japan)
Father is Hane Yasumasa, 9P. Married to Hane Shigeko, 1P. |
October-April
1 Eight-player League (Round Robin). |
May-July
Best of 7 |
Prize: ¥32,000,000
Sponsor: Mainichi Newspaper
Began: 1941
Special Notes: Oldest of the Big Seven tournaments.
2nd Match interrupted by the explosion of the 1st atomic bomb over Hiroshima.
|
J
u
d
a
n |
 |
Takao Shinji
(Judan)
b. 1976 (Japan)
On June 28th, 2005 Takao won the 60th Hon'inbo tournament, and his first big Japanese title, from Cho U, in a match that lasted five games. Its final game was won by a mere half a point. |
May-February
16-player knockout tournament with playoff against the winner of the
losers tournament. |
March-April
Best of 5 |
Prize: ¥14,000,000
Sponsor: Sankei Newspaper
Began: 1962
Different Title Holders: 16 |
T
e
n
g
e
n |
 |
Kono Rin
(Tengen)
b. 1981 (Japan)
|
January-October
35-player knockout tournament. |
October-December
Best of 5 |
Prize: ¥14,000,000
Sponsor: Three Newspaper Companies League
Began: 1975
Different Title Holders: 11 |
O
z
a |
|
Yamashita Keigo
(Kisei, Oza)
b. 1978 (Japan)
Disciple of: Kikuchi Yasuro
Achieved the rank of professional shodan in 1993. Promoted to 9 dan in 2003. |
April-September
16-player knockout tournament. |
October-December
Best of 5 |
Prize: ¥13,500,000
Sponsor: Nihon Keizai Newspaper
Began: 1953
Different Title Holders: 19 |
G
o
s
e
i |
|
Cho U
(Meijin, Gosei)
b. 1980 (Taiwan)
Disciple of: Rin Kaiho
Defeated Kato Masao in 2003 to claim the Honinbo title. |
November-May
33-player knockout tournament. |
June-August
Best of 5 |
Prize: ¥7,700,000
Sponsor: The Regional Newspaper League
Began: 1976
Different Title Holders: 8 |
