Shogi Festival in Japan Club Kuala Lumpur! (Report)

Hey all,

Before I begin to talk about Shogi Festival, which was held in Japan Club Kuala Lumpur today, I would like to show the book that I have purchase via internet which has cost me roughly around RM 100.

It has 118 pages and I found it very useful for beginners because it teaches us the things we should be thinking while playing Shogi. Unless "Art of Shogi", it teaches you basic joseki (openings or fundamentals) but not too much about what we should be thinking. Therefore it is very good to have Habu's Words for Shogi players.

Alright, it's time for the report on Shogi Festival!
 

Report on Shogi Festival

Yesterday I was told that today Shogi Festival will be held in Japan Club Kuala Lumpur. One of the Japanese told me that it was starting around noon but I thought it was just a normal festival but it turns out that they were having tournaments!

A knockout tournament! I didn't knew they were having tournaments otherwise I would have join them! I shouldn't have went there at 2pm. And this is the first time in my life I've seen so many Japanese playing Shogi in Japan Club!

These are the giveaways and prizes. There are two types of categories. One is for adults and another is for children. Naoki has already finished his game so I have a game with him. Unfortunately I lost. =(   But I knew why I have lost. =)

After the tournament has ended, We were given by a small lecture on tsume Shogi by a 9-Dan pro Mr. Kenji Kobayashi. After the small talk a gift was given to the club leader as a small present...

This present actually has all the signatures of the Meijins! Do not look lightly on this prize. It is actually worth more than RM 3,000!!!

Two tables are set up and Mr. Kobayashi is going to play against 7 players at the same time, including me! He gave me two piece handicapped, Rook and Bishop. The game lasted for a long time and I lost. After all the games Mr. Kobayashi gave evalution on everyone about how well they played. Naoki has the strength of 2-Dan amateur while I have the strength of 3 kyu only. That explains why I have lost to Naoki earlier. Looks like my days of exams have really deteriorate my Shogi skills. =(   But I remember Naoki was playing against handicapped of Rook, Bishop and two Lances... Fortunately Mr. Kobayashi praised me that I have talent and might be a genius. I have never been so proud of myself in my life. =D

After that it's time to hand the prizes to the winners!

The winner of the adult category

2nd of the adults category

 

3rd of the adults category



Winner of the child category

2nd of the child category

Alot of things have been given away as presents and then it's group photo! I'm the one wearing the yellow shirt from the 2nd left...
 

With the Shogi activities over I have been invited over to a restaurant for free dinner! Talk about being lucky!
 

I was the only Malaysian there so I feel a little awkward because I couldn't speak Japanese nor fully understand it. But I'm very grateful that they're being friendly and tried to talk to me in English. =)
 

Prezzies

Speaking of which I've received a lot of presents from them! First off I've received an instant soup. =P And then...
 

Knewing that I play Shogi, they specially gave me this...
 

A book written by Mr. Kobayashi himself! It teaches you how to play Fourth File Rank Rook (Shinkenbisha). And lastly...
 

A calligraphy by Mr. Kobayashi! I really should have thank him for all these great stuffs!
 

Conclusion

It's been a long time I have enjoyed myself so much in Shogi events after AISEP. I'm glad that i have came to this festival just because I love Shogi alot. To everyone in Shogi Club in JCKL...
 

OTSUKARESAMA!

Now that I know I was 3 kyu, looks like getting 1-Dan by the end of this year will be realised soon! I'm going to work hard to achieve 1-Dan! And also I really hope I can participate more Shogi events in the future! Gambatte, Ryou! You can do it! For the sake your dream, work hard!

Regards,
Ryou Takehito

 

 

 

First official post of "Ryou's Shogi World"

Hey all,

I would like to say that too many Shogi-related things have happened ever since I started playing Shogi so I'm dedicating this blog only on Shogi, my adventures, my opinions about Shogi and how the people in Malaysia feels about Shogi. Also, I have imported all my shogi-related events from my other blog to here so Shogi players could read my past progress and adventures. Anyways expect me to talk more Shogi-related stuffs in the future!

Since I don't really have that much time I will talk about the Japanese Language Festival in University of Malaya.


Actually when I just got back from AISEP in Beijing, I was asked by Tsuda-san, the person in-charge of promoting Shogi in UM (University of Malaya) and also one of the members of Shogi Club in Japan Club (http://www.jckl.org.my/), to help him because:

1. I love Shogi; and
2. I'm the only non-Japanese who can play Shogi.

I always wanted to help out people if there's a way to promote Shogi so I agreed to help him out.


On 27th July at 8.00 a.m. we gathered ourselves at the Japan Club and at 8.30 a.m. we went to UM together. Many Japanese were enthusiastic about teaching Shogi to the locals and I was one of them too. ^.^

We reached UM ten minutes later and to my surprise there are a lot of people attending the fair!

The people in the picture above are actually learning how to dance in Japanese style! ^.^ We quickly set up the Shogi sets and since there is still not many people in UM so the Japanese asked me to play a few games first.


This is Naoki and he's only 11-years old! He told me that he learn Shogi from his father and he's very strong! If I'm not mistaken he's about 1 or 2 kyu. He can defeat most of the old Japanese men in Japan Club!



This is me playing against Naoki! ^.^v We played three games and I won two games! ^.^v Actually before this I couldn't beat Naoki at all! But I'm glad I have improve so much that I can win Naoki! Anyways we have a lot of fun!

Kawaii~

After a small rest, I was asked to play against this oji-san...


This is actually my first meeting with him and he is VERY VERY STRONG! I think he's about 2 or 3-dan. We have three games too and I cannot defeat him at all!


Too bad I did not ask for his name. I would very much like him to teach me a few things about Shogi since he is very strong! By the way, did you notice Shoshi-sensei's fan on the table? ^.^


This is me playing Shogi very seriously. LOL. I always wonder why I put my head on my hand when I'm thinking.


A closer look on the game.

Anyways we have a lot of fun in UM. Some people actually find Shogi very hard to learn because it's hard to memorise the kanji on the Shogi pieces and they always forget how Gold (Kinsho) and Silver (Ginsho) moves.

Nevertheless I'm looking forward to help out again if there is another opportunity to promote Shogi!

Regards,
Ryou Takehito

AISEP Photos - Part 2

It's 1.40 a.m. now and since I'm so bored and listening to Weiss kreuz songs at the same time (Weiss kreuz songs always keep me awake throughout the night because their songs are fantastic that I want to keep listening to it!).

Anyways here's the photo that I promise to show it to everyone when I got it from the other members of AISEP. All these photos are taken by Marie, a very kawaii girl. ^^v

1st Day
The scenery of Beijing...




Beijing's terrible traffic jam...



Nikko Hotel's room...


And then the photos of our first day presentation:

Presentation

"Ehehehe. Everything is as I have planned!"



Shisho-Sensei of 7-Dan professional Shogi player!


"Am I suppose to sing like Aerosmith?"


"Can I talk about my love life instead of funny story?" <--- he actually said that!


"Am I suppose to speak into the mic?"


"Um.... what am I suppose to say again?"


Kazuma looks cool when he's serious. @_@

Dinner
Photos of foods first...
















The so-called "China Hamburger"

After all the munching it's group photo time!!!


Three good-looking guys. Yum Yum.


Paul managed to hook up two gals. Way to go, man!


Say Cheese no.1!


Say Cheese no.2!


Say Cheese no.3!


Say zzzzzzz <---tired

Shogi Night

SHOGI BANZAI! <----wait...they're actually playing Chinese Chess!?


They played Chinese Chess throughout the night and it's only one game! Truly a match between professionals! <--- not a joke.


Um... you're suppose to play Shogi right now???

2nd Day
Presentation
On our second day of presentation we talked about our own country and cultures.














Close-up photos...


"But...but...but..."


"Gender balance... what should we talk about?"


"I have a weird dream last night. And yes, you're in the dream too."


"LET'S ROLL"


"Yes, we understand your problems."


Sleepy...sleepy....NO! MUST AWAKE! Sleepy...


Staff Meeting

"Yes, I'm a staff too. What are you looking at?"


Li-sensei


Shoshi-sensei


Important meeting going on...

Lunch












Olympic Stadium








The Park

The old man with the sunglasses, "think you can beat us, punk? We've been playing here everyday for years!"



Arrival of Habu and Chess Institute




Dinner Party
















Habu's Q&A Session

Show me your cute smile, Habu-sensei!


A group photo of everyone.

3rd Day
Habu's Talk Session






Kawaii girls! ^.^'




"Can I have your number?"


Good work, everyone.

Japan Foundation and Presentation

Our bento lunch. It was tasty!






Um... you are suppose to be prepare a presentation, not playing Chinese Chess?

Taichi's Birthday!

"I felt like a celebrity."


Lovely couple. ^.^


Taichi's beloved chocolate cake. I love chocolate cake too! =/


A surprise cake given by the hotel! WOW!


A great man needs a great knife to cut his great birthday cake. That's what men should be!

Dinner
Food, food, food and more FOOD!



















Desert of the year. Best food EVER!

After food it's PARTTTTYYYY TIIIMMMMEEEE!




Cheer up, Kazuki. We know it's not your birthday.


Why is everyone taking photos of the ceiling!???


Congratulations on your engagement, both of you! CONGRATS!

Punishment Game during Dinner

"YUCK!"


"EWWWW"

Gift Exchanges


That's all for the photos.

Looking back at all these AISEP photos, I would like to say that I'm glad I've created such splendid memories during my stay in Beijing eventhough it's only three days. Words can't really describe my feelings as I look over all these photos again and again. They're really nice people, REALLY! It has really been fun hanging out with everyone! I really enjoy myself alot! I'm really looking forward to see them again in the coming future if there is ever a chance!

Less but not least...

AISEP 4 EVER!

oops, wrong photo. Let's try it again.


AISEP FOREVER!!!

Regards,
Ryou Takehito


PS: Thanks for all the photos, Marie!