Kanazawa, Ishikawa Pref., Oct. 10 (Jiji Press)–Tomoka Nishiyama, a “joryu kishi,” or female professional shogi player, obtained the right to become a “kishi,” a player under a different professional system for the board game, on Saturday, when she won the “Hakurei” title for the fifth time. Nishiyama, 31, who holds four joryu kishi titles, including Hakurei and Seirei, would become the first female kishi if she exercises her right. Kishi and joryu kishi operate under different professional systems. While joryu kishi is a status for only women, both men and women can become kishi. In June 2025, the Japan Shogi Association introduced a new system under which a woman who wins Hakurei, the highest joryu kishi title, five times is given the right to become a “kishi,” who has fourth-dan or higher ranks. In the fifth match of the best-of-seven Hakurei title series on Saturday, Nishiyama beat challenger Kana Fukuma, 34, who also holds four joryu kishi titles, in 118 moves, winning the series with a 4-1 record. After the match, held in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, Nishiyama said, “I can’t give an answer right now,” stopping short of whether she will exercise her right to become a kishi. She is slated to announce her decision within two weeks. At a press conference later, Nishiyama said that gaining the right, a development seen revitalizing women’s shogi, gave her “a renewed sense of resolve.” “This isn’t an issue only for me, so I’d like to consider it calmly,” she added, indicating that she would decide whether to exercise the right after consulting people around her. Before the introduction of the new system, there were already two other ways for a joryu kishi to become a kishi. One is to perform good in a competition series among third-dan players at Shoreikai, a professional shogi player training institution, and the other is to pass a transfer exam. After joining Shoreikai in 2010 at the age of 14, Nishiyama narrowly missed a chance to become a kishi and left Shoreikai in 2021 at age 25. Nishiyama also failed in a transfer exam, held between September 2024 and January 2025, recording two wins and three losses against five fourth-dan players. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
