Takashi Murakami「Anywhere Door(Dokodemo Door):Life From Here On」 2022 silkscreen
The “Osho Tournament” which marks the start of the new year in the world of shogi, has begun. The title holder is Sota Fujii, and the challenger is Takuya Nagase 9th dan.
In recent years, there has been a growing number of shogi fans who enjoy watching the game, referred to as “watching shogi.” Just as there are people who specialize in watching live streams of computer games, shogi has also become a form of entertainment that does not require playing (making moves), and it is no longer something that can only be enjoyed by those who know the rules.
This trend is driven by several factors. First, the expansion of video streaming services like YouTube and AbemaTV has made it easier for people to access shogi content. Second, there are now more programs that highlight not just the moves but also the personalities of the players, fostering a sense of connection with the players themselves. However, I believe the most significant factor is the introduction of AI-generated predictions of potential moves, which has significantly lowered the barrier to entry for viewers.
The introduction of AI in shogi has provided viewers with a new perspective.
In the past, shogi programs would show a static image on the monitor screen for an incredibly long time while the players considered their next move, leading viewers to wonder if there had been a broadcast malfunction.
Now, every time the indicator showing the win rate fluctuates (reminding us that the AI is predicting billions of moves ahead and calculating the best possible move), we can imagine the player deeply immersed in a sea of thought.
When the situation reverses with just one move, it feels as though we are experiencing the dramatic unfolding of events alongside the player.
Interestingly, in an interview with Fujii the Osho, there was a particularly intriguing comment regarding the future of AI. He was asked about how shogi might evolve in 100 years and shared his thoughts on the matter.
“It is possible that shogi will be completely analyzed in 100 years, but I dont think that means it will lose its appeal as a game. I hope that new ways of playing will emerge.”
I think Fujii the Osho is saying that even if shogi is analyzed, that doesnt mean the game is over, and the fun doesnt end. For example, computer games are designed to lead to a predetermined goal, but the fun is in the process of reaching that goal. Its like a journey in which you search for countless routes, rather than a one-way trip.
Christo「Wrapped Fountain, Spoleto, Italy, 1968」 2002 lithograph
What is even more interesting is the interview with Nagase 9th dan, who is also the challenger in this Osho tournament. I dont think he was responding to the Osho Fujiis comments, but in a sense, his comments can be interpreted as a warning to those who are swayed by AI numbers.
Nagase said that the “kakugawari”* chess formation seems to have become established among some top players, including himself, in 2024. He added that the next stage is to decide how to develop this formation and how each player will adapt it.
This is not to say that the “Kakugawari” formation has been “analyzed,” but rather that the accumulated knowledge and experience have been consolidated into a single form in 2024, and the statement reflects a keen awareness of the fact that we are now at the next stage of seeing how this formation will unfold.
Furthermore, he also mentioned the need for “improving the level of commentators.”
Commentary is also a role played by chess players, but before the advent of AI, the commentators words were the only guide to the state of the game.
While it is not heard as often these days, there is a question that goes, “Which side are you holding?” When the listener asks the commentator this question, they are asking, “If the commentator were to take on this game, which side would they choose, or in other words, which side do they consider to be advantageous?” The answer to this question allowed one to understand the outcome of the game.
The demand for “commentator level-up” seems to be a warning about AI, suggesting that only commentators who are also chess players, rather than AI, can convey the highly advanced level of interaction that Nagase 9th dan is currently engaged in to viewers. It also seems to be a wake-up call for commentators and viewers.
AI is merely an indicator and a set of numbers. In fact, it feels as if we are being confronted with the reality that AI does not express anything and may have no value at all.
Shogi leaves behind a record of the game.
No matter how exceptionally strong a player may be, it is impossible for one person to leave behind a record of the game alone. In accordance with the rules of shogi, which dictate that players take turns making moves, the story of the two players unfolds on the board.
So, what will the future of art look like 100 years from now?
Since it is not something with a set goal like a game, this is purely hypothetical, but if we consider certain clear rules—such as realistically depicting subjects like in realist painting or completely imitating works in the style of “so-and-so” or “such-and-such”—as goals, then there may be cases where analysis is completely successful.
How each individual interprets what lies beyond that analysis.
In the case of mathematical problems, there are those who do not consider solving the problem itself to be the goal, but rather seek alternative solutions to problems they have already solved. Could we, like Fujii the Osho, look forward to what lies beyond the analysis and enjoy it?
Furthermore, if the day comes when art is “explained,”
do you think artists will stop creating?
Why do artists create?
I believe the essence of art lies in that question.
* kakugawari --- A type of shogi game in which the corners are exchanged in the early stages.
text : tomiko mabuchi
Seizo Tashima「The Fierce Dance of the Souls」2017 dyed mud pigment
This column was sent as part of our newsletter dated January 13, 2025.
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