Professional shogi player

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During the Edo period (1603-1868), shogi followed an iemoto system centered around three families (schools): the {{Interlanguage link|Ōhashi School (shogi)|ja|3=大橋本家|lt=Ōhashi (main)}}, the {{Interlanguage link|Ōhashi School (branch)|ja|3=大橋分家|lt=Ōhashi (branch)}} and the {{Interlanguage link|Itō School (shogi)|ja|3=伊藤氏#伊藤家 (将棋)|lt=Itō}}.{{cite book|last=Hosking|first=Tony|year=1997|title=The Art of Shogi|location=Stratford-upon-Avon, England|publisher=The Shogi Foundation|isbn=978-0953108909|page=4}} Titles such as Meijin were hereditary and could only be held by members of these three families. These three schools were supported by the Tokugawa shogunate and thus controlled the professional shogi world up until 1868 when the Meiji Restoration took place.{{sfn|Hosking|1997|page=5}} By the time {{Interlanguage link|Sōin Itō|ja|3=伊藤宗印 (8代)}}, the eighth and last head of the Itō school and the 11th Hereditary Meijin, died in 1893, the influence of the families had decreased to such an extent that they had no real power at all.{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/aboutus/history.html|title=Sōritsu - Enkaku|script-title=ja:創立・沿革|language=ja|trans-title=Establishment/History|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=2015-05-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006120701/http://www.shogi.or.jp/aboutus/history.html|archive-date=2014-10-06}}

The earliest form of the JSA was founded on September 8, 1924, as the {{nihongo|Tokyo Shogi Federation|東京将棋連盟|tōkyō shōgi renmei}} later renamed as the {{nihongo|Japan Shogi Association|日本将棋連盟|nihon shōgi renmei}}.{{cite journal|date=1983|title=Nihon Shogi Renmei|journal=Shogi|issue=41|pages=20|editor1-last=Hodges|editor1-first=George }}

{{Expand section|date=October 2017}}

All shogi players are ranked by a dan system. In the current system, apprentice players become professional when they achieve the rank of 4-dan. Apprentice players aspiring to become professionals are ranked from 6-kyū to 3-dan.{{cite web| url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/kisen/shourei/index.html|script-title=ja:奨励会概要|title=Shōreikai Gaiyō|language=ja|trans-title=Outline of Apprentice School|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=21 September 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216005214/http://www.shogi.or.jp/kisen/shourei/index.html|archive-date=16 December 2008}} Amateur and professional dan ranks are not equivalent with amateur 3- to 5-dan being roughly equivalent to apprentice professional 6-kyū and amateur 2- to 4-dan being roughly equivalent to women's professional 2-kyū.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/knowledge/world/04.html|script-title=ja:段と級|title=Dan to Kyū|language=ja|trans-title=Dan and Kyū|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=March 20, 2018}}

Unlike western chess, shogi players do not have official Elo ratings; however, unofficial Elo scores may be calculated by shogi fans.{{efn | For instance: http://kishi.a.la9.jp/ranking/2018.html or http://shogidata.info/list/rateranking.html}} Unlike Elo scores (which may increase or decrease), players who achieve a certain dan are never demoted to a lower dan. Thus, the dan system may be thought as a performance milestone indicator or somewhat like the peak Elo rating that is used in western chess.

Apart from the dan system, players are also ranked according to their results in the Meijin ranking tournament. Their performance in the ranking tournament may also affect their ranking in the dan system. Unlike the dan system, a player may be demoted to a lower Meijin ranking tournament class (as well as promoted).

File:2013TokyoShogiMatsuri.jpg , Rieko Yauchi (Women's professional), Takeshi Fujii and Yoshiharu Habu (from left to right) in 2013.]]

JSA professional shogi players (正規棋士 seiki kishi or 棋士 kishi for short) are ranked from four to nine dan. Players receive a monthly salary according to their rank as well as game fees based upon performance, which historically have mostly come from media conglomerates in exchange for exclusive publishing rights.{{sfn|Hosking|1997|page=6}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/1706/22/news113.html|title=「棋譜」に著作権はある？ 「無断中継」なぜNg？ 朝日新聞に聞いた}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bengo4.com/c_1015/c_17/c_1263/n_6263/|title = 将棋実況YouTuberに朝日新聞「権利侵害なので中止を」、何の権利侵害なのか？| newspaper=弁護士ドットコム | date=22 June 2017 }}

In addition, popular players may also earn income from teaching, publishing, media appearances, etc. {{As of|2025|01|post=,|df=US}} there are 174 active professionals.{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/player/index.html|script-title=ja:現役棋士一覧|title= Geneki Kishi Ichiran|language=ja|trans-title=List of active professionals|publisher=Japanese Shogi Association|access-date=September 19, 2024}}

The {{ill|Professional Shogi Players Group|ja|棋士総会 (将棋)}} is a voluntary organization operating with the JSA made up of all current regular professionals and some JSA women's professionals. It was founded in 2009 and helps organize events designed to further the spread of shogi as well as foster training and professionalism among shogi professionals.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/news/2009/04/post_176.html|script-title=ja:新棋士会発足について|title=Shinkishikai Hassoku ni Tsuite|language=ja|trans-title=About the start of the new Shogi Professional Players' Association|date=April 6, 2009|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=August 28, 2019}}

The JSA offers official "training" or "study" groups (研修会 kenshūkai) in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sendai and Sapporo where promising young amateur players can play instructional games against shogi professionals as well as official ranking games against other players of similar strength. These groups are open to all amateur-dan-ranked male and female players aged 20 years (25 years for females wanting to become a women's professional. In this case a master is required) and under who can pass the entrance examination and pay the required tuition and other fees. Players are divided into seven groups from S to F according to playing strength: S is the top group, while the strength of a typical Group F player is generally considered to be amateur 2-dan. Each group is further divided into two sub-groups, 1 and 2, with promotion and demotion from one group or sub-group to another being determined by actual game results. Players who perform at high levels in the top groups can qualify for entry into the Apprentice School (for Group S or A2, depending upon age) or provisional women's professional status (for Group C1) if they satisfy certain other conditions.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/training/|script-title=ja:研修会|title=Kenshūkai|language=ja|trans-title=Training groups system|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=May 12, 2022}}

Strong amateurs wishing to become professional must be accepted into the JSA's Apprentice School (新進棋士奨励会 shinshin kishi shōreikai). Apprentice professionals are initially ranked from 6-kyū to 3-dan based upon their results on the apprentice school entry exam or performance in certain amateur tournaments.{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/kisen/shourei/index.html#|title=Shōreikaishiken Gaiyō|script-title=ja:奨励会試験概要|language=ja|trans-title=Apprentice School Test Overview|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=November 1, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216005214/http://www.shogi.or.jp/kisen/shourei/index.html|archive-date=December 16, 2008}}

Apprentices are guided through the system by their master (師匠 shishō) {{mdash}} an active or retired professional who acts as their sponsor and teacher {{mdash}} and are promoted or demoted in rank based upon performance.{{sfn|Hosking|1997|page=6}}

Players who successfully move up the ranks to 3-dan participate in the 3-dan League (三段リーグ san-dan riigu). This league is held twice yearly and the two top finishers of each league are promoted to 4-dan, thus gaining professional status.{{cite news|author=|date=December 23, 2013|title='Yaru kara ni wa Kanarazu Yondan ni' Satomi Joryū Sankan Ichimon Ittō | script-title=ja:｢やるからには必ず四段に｣ 里見女流三冠一問一答|trans-title= Q & A with Satomi Women's 3 Crown, "I will definitely make 4 dan" | url= http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASF0OSK201312230002.html|language=ja|newspaper=Asahi Shimbun|location=Tokyo, Japan|access-date=November 1, 2014 | quote=プロと認められる四段まで、最終関門の「三段リーグ」を残すのみだ。約40人の三段が全員参加する三段リーグは半年間で18局指し、原則、上位1位と2位がプロ棋士になる「狭き門」だ。}}

The 3-dan League was established in 1987 with an initial limit of four players qualifying for 4-dan promotion in response to a concern that the average of five to six new professionals every year was diluting the professional pool.{{cite journal | editor1-last=Hodges | editor1-first=George | date=1987 | title=Japanese shogi scene | journal=Shogi | issue=69 | page=2 }}

Amateurs of either gender can apply for entry into the apprentice school, but they must be promoted to 1-dan by age 21 and 4-dan by age 26{{cite news|last=Nakamura|first=Akemi|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2005/12/29/national/newest-shogi-pro-followed-unlikely-path/#.VxB9nPmLRhF|title=Newest 'shogi' pro followed unlikely path|date=December 29, 2005|newspaper=The Japan Times|access-date=February 15, 2016}} and those who are not must leave the school.{{cite news|author=|date=December 23, 2013|title=Satomi Joryū Sankan, Shōreikai Sandan ni, Josei Hatsu no Kishi e Saishū Sekimon|script-title=ja:里見女流三冠、奨励会三段に 女性初の棋士へ最終関門|trans-title=Satomi Women's 3 Crown, Promoted to Apprentice Professional 3 Dan, Last Barrier Before Becoming First Woman "Regular" Shogi Professional|url= http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASF0OSK201312230002.html|language=ja|newspaper=Asashi Shimbun|location=Tokyo, Japan|access-date=November 1, 2014|quote=棋士になるには奨励会を勝ち抜いて、原則として26歳までに四段に上がらなければならない。(...) 制限された年齢を超えた場合、退会となる。}} Those newly promoted to 3-dan are given at least five chances to obtain promotion to professional status in the 3-dan League, with anyone under age 29 who can maintain a win rate over 50% in 3-dan League being allowed to stay. Anyone over age 21 who drops from 1-dan to 1-kyū must achieve promotion to 1-dan again in six months or leave the school.

In August 2019, the JSA clarified its position on current women's professional shogi players who obtain "regular" professional status via the apprentice school system. The JSA stated that women's professional shogi players who qualify for "regular" shogi professional status through the 3-dan league will be given the option of retaining their women's professional status and continuing to participate in women-only tournaments as long as they request to do so within two weeks of the date they are officially awarded regular professional status.{{cite news|last=Maruyama|first=Susumu|url=https://mainichi.jp/articles/20190808/k00/00m/040/129000c|script-title=ja:将棋連盟が新規定 プロ棋士と女流棋士の兼務認める|title=Shogi Renmei ga Shikitei Puro Kishi to Joryu Kishi no Kenmu Mitomeru|language=ja|trans-title=Japan Shogi Association announces new rule permitting women's shogi professionals to retain status if they also qualify as "regular" shogi professionals|date=August 8, 2019|newspaper=Mainichi Shimbun|access-date=August 15, 2019}}

There is an alternative way for amateurs to obtain professional status called the Professional Admission Test (プロ編入試験 puro henyū shiken) which was established by the JSA in 2006 in response to a former apprentice school 3-dan's successful attempt to become a professional.{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/osirase/060526meijin.html|script-title=ja:編入制度答申書 A|title=Henyū Seido Tōshisho A|language=ja|trans-title=Admission Test System Report A|date=May 26, 2006|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070114044938/http://www.shogi.or.jp/osirase/060526meijin.html|archive-date=January 14, 2007|access-date=April 15, 2016}} Shōji Segawa was unable to gain promotion to 4-dan professional before turning 26 in 1996, and thus was required to withdraw from the JSA's apprentice school. Segawa continued to play shogi as an amateur and won a number of national amateur tournaments which allowed him to qualify for tournaments involving professionals. Segawa's record of 17 wins and 5 losses against professionals in these tournaments led him to request that the JSA grant him another opportunity to become a professional. In response, the JSA made an ad hoc arrangement of six games for Segawa to play against a variety of opponents and stated that he would be granted 4-dan professional status if he won three games. Segawa's opponents included four professional players, one women's professional player, and one apprentice school 3-dan.{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/osirase/segawa/youkou.html|script-title=ja:瀬川晶司氏のプロ入りについて|title=Segawa Shōji-shi no Puro Iri ni Tsuite|language=ja|trans-title=Regarding Shōji Segawa Becoming a Professional|date=June 19, 2005|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050619002035/http://www.shogi.or.jp/osirase/segawa/youkou.html|archive-date=June 19, 2005|access-date=April 15, 2016}} The games were held from July to November 2005, and Segawa achieved his third win by winning game 5 on November 6, 2005, and was granted professional status by the JSA on the same day. Decades before Segawa, {{ill|Motoji Hanamura|ja|花村元司}} also passed an ad hoc test to gain professional status.{{cite interview|last=Morishita|first=Taku|author-link=Taku Morishita|interviewer=Shūji Sagasaki|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/column/2016/11/post_51.html|script-title=ja:森下卓九段にインタビュー.師匠花村元司九段の知られざる魅力について聞いてみた (2)|title=Morishita Taku Kudan ni Intabyū: Shishō Hanamura Motoji Kudan no Shirazaru Miryoku ni tsuite Kittemita (2)|language=ja|trans-title=Interview with Taku Morishita 9-dan (part 2): Asking about the unknown appeal of shogi mentor Motoji Hanamura 9-dan.|date=November 28, 2016|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=March 3, 2020}} In 2014, the JSA announced the qualifications for those wishing to apply for the Professional Admission Test.{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/topics/2014/04/post-982.html|script-title=ja:プロ編入試験についてのお知らせ|title=Puro Hennyūshiken ni tsuite no Oshirase|language=ja|trans-title=Announcement regarding the Professional Admission Test|date=April 18, 2014|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=April 15, 2016}} In July 2014, the JSA announced that it had accepted the application submitted by amateur Kenji Imaizumi, a 41-year-old former apprentice school 3-dan.{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/topics/news/2014/07/post_1031.html|script-title=ja:アマチュアの今泉健司さん,プロ編入試験受験へ|title=Amachua no Imaizumi Kenji-san, Puro Hennyūshiken Jūken e|language=ja|date=July 24, 2014|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=April 15, 2016}} Imaizumi became the first amateur to successfully obtain professional status under the new system in December 2014.{{cite news|last=Wada|first=Chitose|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.jp/2014/12/08/kenji-imaizumi_n_6287132.html|script-title=ja:今泉健司さん, プロ棋士に合格「可能性にふたをしないかぎり, 年齢は関係ない」|language=ja|trans-title=Kenji Imaizumi becomes shogi professional: "Age is not a factor as long as the possibility to do so is not taken away"|date=December 8, 2014|newspaper=The Huffington Post Japan|access-date=April 15, 2016}} On February 25, 2020, Shōgo Orita, a former 3-dan apprentice school player who has a popular YouTube channel, became the second person under the new system and the fourth amateur overall to obtain professional status.{{cite web|url=https://times.abema.tv/posts/7043040|script-title=ja:将棋YouTuber｢アゲアゲさん｣ 折田翔吾アマ, 悲願のプロ入り決定! 編入試験五番勝負で3勝1敗 史上4人目の快挙|title=Shōgi YouTuber ｢Ageage-san｣ Orita Shōgo Ama, Higan no Puro Iri Kettei! Hennyūshiken Goban Shōbu de Sanshō Ippai Shijō Yonninme no Kaikyo|language=ja|trans-title=Shogi Youtuber Shōgo Orita achieves long-time dream of becoming a professional shogi player. Becomes the 4th amateur in history to become a professional shogi player by passing the best-of-five game professional admission test with a score of 3 wins and 1 loss.|date=February 25, 2020|website=Abema Times|access-date=February 26, 2020}}{{cite news|author=|url=https://www.sankei.com/life/news/200225/lif2002250060-n1.html|script-title=ja:将棋･折田アマが編入試験合格 4月からプロ...現行制度では2人目|title=Shōgi･Orita Ama ga Hennyūshiken Gōkaku Shigatsu kara Puro...Genkō Seido de wa Nininme|language=ja|trans-title=Shogō Orita becomes the second amateur to pass professional shogi admission test under the current system; he will obtain full professional status as of April 2020 |date=February 25, 2020|newspaper=Sankei Shimbun|access-date=February 26, 2020}} On February 13, 2023, Reo Koyama became the third person under the new system and the fifth overall to obtain professional status.{{cite web|author=|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/news/2023/02/post_2243.html|script-title=ja:小山怜央アマが棋士編入試験合格!|title=Koyama Reo Ama ga Hennyūshiken Gōkaku!|language=ja|trans-title=Amateur Reo Koyama passes Professional Admission Test|date=February 13, 2023|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=September 19, 2024}}

In August 2019, the JSA clarified its position on the test as it pertains to current women's professional shogi players. The JSA stated that women's professional shogi players who successfully pass the test to obtain "regular" shogi professional status will retain their women's professional status and can continue to participate in women-only tournaments.

{{Expand section|date=December 2017}}

File:Female SHOGI Professional Momoko Kato(left) Sae Ito(right).jpg 3-dan (left) and Sae Itō 2-dan (right) in 2015]]

File:WOSC-2013-Styczynska.JPG became the first non-Japanese professional shogi player in 2017]]

Women's professional players are in groups distinct from regular professional players. Currently, no female has yet qualified to become a regular professional although over the years there have been several female apprentice professionals competing to obtain such status, with Kana Fukuma, Tomoka Nishiyama and Nanami Naka getting as far as the rank of 3-dan.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/news/2020/09/post_1948.html?mi=JapanShogiAssociation_AR_1|script-title=ja:中七海奨励会員, 奨励会三段に|title=Naka Nanami Shōreikain, Shōreikai Sandan ni|language=ja|trans-title=Apprentice professional Nanami Naka promoted to apprentice professional 3-dan|date=September 24, 2020|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=October 26, 2020}}{{cite news|last=Yamamura|first=Hideki|url=https://mainichi.jp/articles/20210401/k00/00m/040/089000c|script-title=ja:将棋 西山朋佳三段が奨励会を退会 女流棋士に転向|title=Shōgi Nishiyama Tomoka Sandan ga Shōreikai wo Taikai Joryōkishi ni Tenkō|trans-title=Tomoka Nishiyama 3d leaves apprentice school to become women's professional shogi player|language=ja|date=April 1, 2021|newspaper=Mainichi Shimbun|access-date=April 2, 2021}}

There are two guilds of women's professionals: the Japan Shogi Association guild and the Ladies Professional Shogi-players' Association of Japan guild. Before the creation of the guilds, women were historically not allowed to become professional players.{{cite magazine|editor-first=Tetsuo|editor-last=Furukawa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0fQZBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA22|script-title=ja:女流棋界の40周年|title=Joryū Kikai no Yonjū Shūnen|language=ja|trans-title=40 years of Women's Professional Shogi|date=September 2014|pages=22–29|magazine=Shogi World|publisher=MyNabi Publishing/Japan Shogi Association|via=Google Books}}{{rp|23}}

The JSA has a separate system for women's professionals (女流棋士 Joryū Kishi) and ranks them from 3-kyū to 6-dan.{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/faq/index.html|title=Puro Kisen no Kitei ni Kansuru Goshitsumon: Naze, Dansei wa "Kishi" na noni, Josei wa "Joryū Kishi" to Naru no Desuka.|script-title=ja:プロ棋戦の規定に関するご質問: なぜ, 男性は "棋士" なのに, 女性は "女流棋士"となるのですか。|language=ja|trans-title=Question about professional shogi rules: Why are men "kishi", but women "joryū kishi"|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=February 14, 2015}} Women's professionals are ranked and promoted differently than professionals (kishi) by the JSA.{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/kisen/kitei.html#joryu|title=Joryū Kishi Shōdan Kitei|script-title=ja:女流棋士昇段規定|language=ja|trans-title=Women's professional promotion requirements|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=February 14, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014031922/http://www.shogi.or.jp/kisen/kitei.html#joryu|archive-date=October 14, 2012}} {{As of|August 2019}}, there are 58 active JSA women's professionals.{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/player/joryu.html|script-title=ja:現役女流棋士一覧|title=Geneki Joryū Kishi Ichiran|language=ja|trans-title=List of active women's professionals|publisher=Japanese Shogi Association|access-date=August 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910205328/http://www.shogi.or.jp/player/joryu.html|archive-date=September 10, 2016|url-status=dead}} Strong women's professionals are able to participate in some tournaments with men, but most professional tournaments are restricted to regular professionals. However, there are also major title matches and other tournaments for women only. Many of the women's tournaments are also open to the public for amateur female players who are not members of the JSA or LPSA. Until the 1990s, the strongest women's professionals were considered to be roughly equivalent to 1- or 2-dan apprentices in playing strength.{{sfn|Hosking|1997|page=6}} In recent years, the overall strength of women's professionals has improved and two ({{abbrv|Fukuma|Kana Fukuma}} and {{abbrv|Nishiyama|Tomoka Nishiyama}}) have had performed well enough against regular professional in official games to qualify for the Professional Admission Test.

Strong female amateur players aged 25 or under who wish to become a women's professional must be accepted into the JSA's Kenshūkai (研修会 "training group"). Female amateurs who are promoted to Class C1 are granted the rank of provisional women's professional 3-kyū.{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/kyoushitsu/kensyuu/index.html|title=Kenshūkai no Goannai|script-title=ja:研修会のご案内|language=ja|trans-title=Information about the Kenshūkai|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=February 15, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208112925/http://www.shogi.or.jp/kyoushitsu/kensyuu/index.html|archive-date=February 8, 2015}}

Those achieving the provisional rank of 3-kyū have two years to gain promotion to the rank of 2-kyū and thus obtain regular women's professional status.{{cite news|last=Osumi|first=Magdelena|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/06/29/national/pole-becomes-shogi-queen-rare-move-foreigner/#.Vx3gu8hKOJI|title=Polish woman becomes shogi queen in rare move for foreigner|date=June 29, 2015|newspaper=The Japan Times|access-date=April 25, 2016}}

Prior to 1984, women's professionals were determined by their performance in national tournaments. From 1984 until March 2009, amateurs aspiring to become women professionals competed against each other in the Women's Professional Apprentice League (女流育成会 Joryū Ikuseikai), a system similar to the 3-dan League of the Professional Apprentice School. The winner of the league was promoted to women's professional 2-kyū. In April 2009, the JSA disbanded this system and merged it into the training group system.{{cite news|last=Murakami|first=Koji|url=http://www.asahi.com/shougi/topics/TKY201007290302.html|script-title=ja:女流プロ昇格, 厚い壁 将棋連盟新制度,１年余で１人だけ|title=Joryū Puro Shōkaku, Atsui Kabe: Shōgi Renmai Shiseido, Ichi-nen Amari de Hitori dake|language=ja|trans-title=High barriers to becoming a women's professional: Only one woman has achieved professional status in a little over a year since the JSA instituted new system|date=July 29, 2010|newspaper=Asahi Shimbun|access-date=April 25, 2016}}

Akiko Takojima joined the JSA in 1974 becoming the first women's professional. She was also the first female to join the Apprentice School and reached 1-dan before withdrawing.{{cite journal | date=1980 | title=Life at the top is too tough for the ladies | journal=Shogi | issue=25 | pages=9 | editor1-last=Hodges | editor1-first=George }}{{efn|Takojima obtained promotion under the old apprentice school system and special promotion criteria different from those for male players were established by the JSA once she had reached the rank of apprentice professional 5-kyū to make it easier for her to obtain further promotion.{{cite interview|last=Takojima|first=Akiko|interviewer=Taeko Ishii|interviewer-link=:ja:石井妙子 (ノンフィクション作家)|url=https://bunshun.jp/articles/-/12951?page=3|script-title=ja:女流棋士第一号･蛸島彰子女流六段が語る ｢奨励会でたった一人の女性だった青春時代｣|title=Joryū Kishi Daiichigō･Takojima Akiko Joryū Rokudan ga Kataru ｢Shōreikai de Tatta Hitori no Josei datta Seishun Jidai|language=ja|trans-title=Women's professional Akiko Takojima talks about becoming the first women's professional shogi player and spending her youth as being the only female in the shogi apprentice school|date=July 25, 2019|page=3|website=Bunshun Online|publisher=Bungeishunjū|access-date=August 22, 2019}} The first female to obtain the rank of 1-dan under the current apprentice school system was Kana Satomi.{{cite news|author=|url=https://www.sankei.com/life/news/140511/lif1405110017-n1.html|script-title=ja:｢女王｣ 加藤さん, 3人目の奨励会初段|title=｢Jo-Ō｣ Katō-san, Sanninme no Shōreikai Shodan|language=ja|date=May 11, 2014|newspaper=The Nikkei|access-date=August 14, 2019}}}} She later left the JSA to join the LPSA.

Naoko Hayashiba became the first women's professional to defeat a regular professional in 1991, but it was in an unofficial game.{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dU5fBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA103|script-title=ja:銀河の24年の歴史|title=Ginga no Nijūyonnen no Rekishi|language=ja|trans-title=24 year history of the Ginga Tournament|date=October 2014|pages=103–104|magazine=Shogi World|publisher=MyNabi Publishing/Japan Shogi Association|via=Google Books|quote=｢元女流棋士の林葉直子がプロ棋士に初めて勝った。ただ非公式戦だったので、参考記録になった｣ (tr. Former Women's professional Naoko Hayashiba was the first to be a Shogi professional. The result, however, is only really used for reference because the game was played in an unofficial tournament)|access-date=August 27, 2019}}{{efn|"Unofficial" games are typically played as part of some exhibition, local event or sponsor-held tournament; they do not count as part of a player's official win–loss record.}} Hiroe Nakai became the first women's professional to defeat a regular professional in an official game in 1993.{{rp|25}}

In February 2017, Karolina Styczyńska became the first non-Japanese to be awarded full professional status when she was promoted to the rank of women's professional 2-kyū.{{cite news|author=|url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20170220_26/|title=Polish woman becomes 1st non-Japanese shogi pro|date=February 20, 2017|website=NHK World|access-date=February 21, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221193412/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20170220_26/|archive-date=February 21, 2017}}{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/02/21/national/polish-woman-becomes-first-foreign-female-pro-shogi-player-japan/#.WKvIem-LREY|title=Polish woman becomes first foreign female pro 'shogi' player in Japan|date=February 21, 2017|newspaper=The Japan Times|agency=Kyodo News|access-date=February 21, 2017}}{{cite news|last=Murase|first=Shinya|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201702210034.html|title=Polish woman, 25, becomes first foreign 'shogi' professional|date=February 21, 2017|newspaper=Asahi Shimbun|access-date=February 21, 2017}}

JSA women's professionals have their own voluntary association operating within the JSA called the {{ill|Ladies Professional Players Group|ja|女流棋士会}}. The association was founded in 1989 and helps organize events involving JSA women's professionals designed to further the spread of shogi.{{cite web|url=http://joryukishikai.shogi.or.jp/news/archives/post-19.html|script-title=ja:女流棋士会について|title=Joryūkishikai ni Tsuite|language=ja|trans-title=About the Women's Professionals Association|publisher=Women's Shogi Professionals Association|access-date=August 28, 2019}}

{{main|Ladies Professional Shogi-players' Association of Japan}}

Other women's professional players are members of the Ladies Professional Shogi-players' Association of Japan (LPSA), which is a professional guild of women's professionals separate from the JSA. The LPSA was formed in 2007 due to disagreements between women's professionals and the JSA over money and governance.

Regular professionals (kishi) are ranked from 4- to 9-dan. All new professionals start at 4-dan and are subsequently promoted based upon criteria established by the JSA. A similar system exists for women's professionals who have their own separate ranking system from 2-kyū to 6-dan. Satisfying one of the required criteria is sufficient for promotion. The JSA board of directors may also promote active professionals for exemplary results, etc. when deemed appropriate, and upon their official retirement in consideration of the number of years active, etc.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/dan_provisions/|script-title=ja:昇段規定|title=Shōdan Kitei|language=ja|trans-title=Promotion rules|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=September 3, 2020}}

The promotion criteria for regular professionals are as follows.

The promotion criteria for women's professionals are as follows.

Professional players compete in a number of title tournaments as well as non-title tournaments. The two most prestigious are the tournaments for the Meijin title and the Ryūō title.{{cite news|last=Matsumoto|first=Hirofumi|author-link=:ja:松本博文|url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/byline/matsumotohirofumi/20190611-00129656/|script-title=ja:羽生善治九段は6位 藤井聡太七段は93位 将棋界の席次はどのようにして決まるか|title=Habu Yoshiharu Kudan wa Rokui Fujii Sōta Shichidan Kyūjūsan'i Shōgikai no Jiseki wa Donoyō ni Shite Kimaruka|language=ja|trans-title=Yoshiharu Habu is ranked sixth and Sota Fujii is ranked 93rd in terms of player seating priority: How does the professional shogi world determine player seating arrangements for official games|date=June 11, 2019|website=Yahoo! Japan News|access-date=October 12, 2020}}

There are eight major title tournaments and several non-title tournaments held yearly for regular professionals. Some of these tournaments are also open to qualifying women's professionals and amateur players.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/#jsTabE02_01|script-title=ja:棋戦一覧|title=Kisen Ichiran|language=ja|trans-title=List of professional tournaments|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=October 28, 2024}} The oldest is the Meijin, which is historically connected to the hereditary title system established in the 17th century during the time of the Tokugawa shogunate and later became a tournament title in 1937. The newest title tournament is the Eiō, which became a title tournament in 2017.{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201807180019.html|title=Parity takes over 'shogi' world as major titles all in different hands|date=July 18, 2018|newspaper=Asahi Shimbun|access-date=October 18, 2018}}

Below are the names of the title tournaments along with the current titleholders.

The following are the current non-title tournaments.

There are eight major title tournaments as well as several non-title tournament held for women's professionals, and some of these are open to female amateur players.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/#jsTabE02_02|script-title=ja:女流棋戦一覧|title=Joryū Kisen Ichiran|language=ja|trans-title=List of Women's professional tournaments|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=October 12, 2020}} The oldest title tournament is the Women's Meijin tournament (established in 1974) and the newest is the {{ill|Hakurei tournament|ja|白玲戦}} (established in 2020).{{cite news|author=|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/general/news/202010060000608.html|script-title=ja:将棋 ｢白玲戦｣ 新設 女流タイトル戦の最高峰に|title=Shōgi ｢Hakureisen｣ Shinsetsu Joryū Taitorusen no Saikōhō|language=ja|trans-title=A new women's title match, the Hakurei, is established; it is the top of the women's title matches|date=October 6, 2020|newspaper=Nikkan Sports|agency=Kyodo News|access-date=October 9, 2020}}

Below are the names of the title tournaments along with the current titleholders.

The following are the current non-title tournaments.

{{Further|Computer shogi}}

In October 2005, professional players were instructed that they were banned from playing public games against computers without the permission of the JSA. The JSA said the reason for doing this was due to the increasing strength of shogi software programs and concerns that even a single professional player losing to a computer could give the public the impression that professionals "are weaker than the software". It was also believed that the JSA wanted to have more control over any future commercial opportunities associated with such games,{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2005/10/16/news/shogi-pros-warned-not-to-play-computers/#.VzvFlPmLRhE|title=Shogi pros warned not to play computers|date=October 16, 2005|newspaper=The Japan Times|quote=Professional shogi players have been told not to compete against computer programs in public without permission from their association in the face of emerging competitive software, association officials said Saturday. The Japan Shogi Association says it will respond discreetly if such a match offer is made.|access-date=December 12, 2016}} and was asking "organizers pay a sponsorship fee of at least ¥100 million per game".{{cite news|last=Otake|first=Tomoko|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2011/11/02/digital/shgi-showdown-for-supercomputer/#.WE4EErKLREY|title=Shōgi showdown for supercomputer|date=November 2, 2011|newspaper=The Japan Times|access-date=December 12, 2016}} :Kunio Yonenaga, the JSA president who instituted the ban, later elaborated on the reasons for the ban in a 2011 interview by saying, "If a professional shogi player wins a match against a computer, it's no news. But when a pro loses, it turns into a big deal".

A number of official games between professionals and computers have taken place since the ban went into effect. In March 2007, reigning Ryūō titleholder Akira Watanabe defeated the program "Bonanza" in the first official game since the ban was instituted,{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2007/03/22/national/computer-no-match-for-the-king-of-shogi/#.WE4IGbKLREa|title=Computer no match for the king of 'shogi'|date=March 22, 2007|newspaper=The Japan Times|url-access=subscription |agency=Kyodo News|access-date=December 12, 2016}} but women's professional Ichiyo Shimizu became the first professional, man or woman, to lose to a computer in an official game when she lost to "Akara 2010" in October 2010.{{cite news|author=|url=http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20101012p2a00m0na012000c.html|title=Shogi computer beats female champ Shimizu|date=October 12, 2010|newspaper=Mainichi Shimbun|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013140651/http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20101012p2a00m0na012000c.html|archive-date=October 13, 2010|access-date=December 12, 2016}} In January 2012, the program "Bonkras" defeated then JSA president and retired former Meijin Yonenaga.{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/resources/news/press-releases/2012/0116-02.html|title=Fujitsu's Shogi Software Tops Former Shogi Champion Kunio Yonenaga|date=January 16, 2012|publisher=Fujitsu|type=Press release|access-date=December 12, 2016}} Shin'ichi Satō became the first active male professional to lose to a computer when he lost to the program "Ponanza" in March 2013,{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/03/31/national/computer-beats-active-shogi-pro-for-first-time/#.WE4CVbKLREY|title=Computer beats active 'shogi' pro for first time|date=March 31, 2013|newspaper=The Japan Times|agency=Kyodo News|url-access=subscription |access-date=December 12, 2016}} and Hiroyuki Miura became the first active "Class A" professional to lose to a computer when he lost to the program "GPS Shogi" in April 2013. Miura was participating in a match between five active male professionals and five computer programs held in March and April 2013. The match was won by the computers with a score of three wins, one draw and one loss.{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/04/22/national/pro-shogi-players-defeated-by-computer-programs/#.WE4LYLKLREY|title=Pro shogi players defeated by computer programs|date=April 22, 2013|newspaper=The Japan Times|agency=Kyodo News|url-access=subscription |access-date=December 12, 2016}} A second team match was held in March and April 2014 with the computers winning four out of the five games played. A third team match was held in March and April 2015 with the professionals winning three games and losing two.

In June 2015, it was decided that the team match format was to be replaced by a two-game match (two days per game) between the winners of respective human and computer qualifying tournaments sponsored by the JSA and telecommunications company Dwango.{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/news/2015/06/154620.html|script-title=ja:ドワンゴ・日本将棋連盟主催 新棋戦名は ｢叡王戦｣ に決定, 154名のプロ棋士がエントリー|title=Dowango - Nihon Shōgi Renmei Shusai Shinkisenmei wa "Eiōsen" ni Kettei, Hyaku Gojūyonmei no Puro Kishi ga Entorī|language=ja|trans-title=New tournament sponsored by the JSA and Dwango to be called the "Eioh-sen": 154 professional male players will participate|date=June 18, 2015|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 19, 2016}} Takayuki Yamasaki and the program "Ponanza" started the best-of-two game 1st Denō Match in April 2016,{{cite news|last=Fukamatsu|first=Shinji|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201604110029.html|title=AI beats top shogi player in first match of tournament final|date=April 11, 2016|newspaper=Asahi Shimbun|access-date=December 19, 2016}} and Yamasaki lost the match 2{{ndash}}0.{{cite news|last=Yamamura|first=Hideki|url=http://mainichi.jp/articles/20160523/k00/00m/040/009000c|script-title=ja:将棋ソフトが連勝 118手で山崎八段降す|title=Shōgi Sofuto Rensho Hyaku Jūhachite de Yamasaki Hachidan Kudasu|language=ja|trans-title=Shogi software wins consecutive games, defeats Yamasaki 8d in 118 moves|date=May 22, 2016|newspaper=Mainichi Shimbun|access-date=December 19, 2016}}

On February 22, 2017, the JSA announced that the "Denou Sen" matches between computers and professional players sponsored by Dwango would end in 2017. According to the chairman of Dwango, "These serious battles between humans and software have completed their historic role".{{cite news|author=|url=http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20170223/p2a/00m/0na/003000c|title=Human vs. computer shogi series to end this year|date=February 23, 2017|newspaper=Mainichi Shimbun|access-date=February 28, 2017}} On April 1, 2017, Meijin Amahiko Satō became the first reigning major titleholder to lose an official game to a computer when he lost Game 1 of the 2nd Denō Match to the computer representative Ponanza.{{cite news|last=Yamamura|first=Hideki|url=http://mainichi.jp/articles/20170402/k00/00m/040/077000c|script-title=ja:佐藤名人, ソフトに敗れる 電王戦第1局|title=Satō Meijin, Sofuto ni Yabureru Denōsen Daiikkyoku|language=ja|trans-title=Meijin Satō defeated by computer in Game 1 of the Denō Match|date=April 1, 2017|newspaper=Mainichi Shimbun|access-date=April 3, 2017}}

{{See also | Ryūō#29th Ryūō challenger controversy}}

In October 2016, the JSA announced new rules which require players to keep their smartphones or other electronic devices in their lockers during official match games. Players will also be banned from leaving the JSA buildings in Tokyo and Osaka during official games. The JSA said the new rules were needed to prevent "high-tech cheating" by players using shogi apps installed on the devices themselves or from using the devices remotely access off-site personal computers for assistance during games. The move was made in response to the increasing strength of computer software in recent years, including a number of results where computers have beaten professional players in official games. As computer shogi programs have gotten stronger, the number of players using them for match preparation and post-game analysis has increased, giving rise to concerns about the possibility of cheating during games. The new rules took effect in December 2016.{{cite news|last=Murase|first=Shinya|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201610130002.html|title=Shogi body checks potential cheats with ban on smartphones|date=October 13, 2016|newspaper=Asahi Shimbun|access-date=October 20, 2016}}

On February 10, 2017, the JSA announced that two professional players were the first to be fined for leaving the playing site during official games under the new rules. The two players were spotted by others leaving the playing site during their meal breaks for official games held on February 7 and February 8, 2016, respectively. The JSA fined each player 50% of the amount they were to receive as a game fee and strongly warned them to avoid making the same mistake again.{{cite news|last=Yamamura|first=Hideki|url=http://mainichi.jp/articles/20170211/ddm/041/040/113000c|script-title=ja:日本将棋連盟: 外出禁止で棋士2人を罰金処分|title=Nihon Shogi Renmei: Gaishūtsu Kinshi de Kishi Futari wo Bakkin Shobun|language=ja|trans-title=Japan Shogi Association: Two professionals fined for violating ban on leaving playing site|date=February 10, 2017|newspaper=Mainichi Shimbun|access-date=February 13, 2017}}{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.hochi.co.jp/topics/20170210-OHT1T50108.html|script-title=ja:棋士2人が外出禁止規定違反, 将棋連盟から厳重注意と罰金処分|title=Kishi Futari ga Gaishūtsu Kinshi Kitei Ihan, Shōgi Renmei kara Genchūi to Bakkin Shobun|language=ja|trans-title=Two players violate rule on leaving playing site strongly warned and fined by the JSA|date=February 10, 2017|newspaper=Sports Hochi|access-date=February 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212150044/http://www.hochi.co.jp/topics/20170210-OHT1T50108.html|archive-date=February 12, 2017|url-status=dead}}

The following are lists of current {{abbrv|JSA|Japan Shogi Association}} regular and women's professionals, and {{abbrv|LPSA|Ladies Professional Shogi Players' Association}} professionals. The lists do not include the names of deceased, retired or former professionals

The following is list of active JSA regular professionals {{As of|2025|05|02|df=US|lc=yes|post=.}}{{cite web|author=|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/player/|script-title=ja:棋士データベース: 現役棋士|title=Kishi Dēta Bēsu Geneki Kishi|language=ja|trans-title=Professional player data base: Current regular professionals|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=May 8, 2025}} The players are listed in the order of their JSA badge number.

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The following is list of active JSA women's professionals {{as of|2025|05|10|lc=y|df=US|post=.}}{{cite web|author=|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/player/lady.html|script-title=ja:棋士データベース: 現役女流棋士一覧|title=Kishi Dētabēsu: Geneki Joryū Kishi Ichiran|language=ja|trans-title=Professional player data base: List of current women's professionals|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=May 14, 2025}} The players are listed in the order of their women's JSA badge number. All ranks are women's professional ranks.

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{{Col-end}}

The following is list of active LPSA women's professionals {{as of|2024|10|01|df=US|lc=y|post=.}}{{cite web|author=|url=https://joshi-shogi.com/profile/|script-title=ja:現役女流棋士|title=Geneki Joryū Kishi|language=ja|trans-title=Active women's professionals|publisher=Ladies Professional Shogi Players' Association|access-date=October 7, 2024}} The players are listed in the order of their LPSA badge number. All ranks are women's professional ranks.

• Japan Shogi Association
• Ladies Professional Shogi-players' Association of Japan

{{Notelist|30em}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• Shogi Fan: {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20171012100247/http://shogifan.com/2017/09/01/what-is-the-rank-system-dan-for-shogi/ What is the rank system (dan) for Shogi?]}}
• LPSA: [http://joshi-shogi.com 日本女子プロ将棋協会] {{in lang|ja}}
• [http://shogidata.info/ shogidata.info] · shows statistics for each professional player {{in lang|ja}}
• Japan Shogi Association: {{in lang|ja}}
• [https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/dan_provisions/ Dan promotion rules]
• [https://www.shogi.or.jp/game/record/promotion.html Players close to promotion]
• Shogi Hub: [http://shogihub.com/players Master–Pupil Diagram]

{{Shogi title tournaments}}

{{Authority control}}