| Origin |
Name |
DOB–DOD |
Peak rank* |
Notes |
 |
Honinbo Sansa (本因坊算砂) |
1559–1623 |
Meijin, 9 dan |
Founder and first head of the house Honinbo. |
 |
Nakamura Doseki (中村道碩) |
1582–1630 |
Meijin, 9 dan |
Retrospectively seen as founder of the house Inoue. |
 |
Hayashi Monnyusai (林門入斉) |
1583–1667 |
7 or 8 dan |
Founder and first head of the house Hayashi. |
 |
Yasui Santetsu (安井算哲) |
1589–1652 |
8 dan |
Founder and first head of the house Yasui. |
 |
Inoue Genkaku (井上玄覚) |
1605–1673 |
7 dan |
First head of the Inoue house on the unrevised numbering (not counting Nakamura Doseki). |
 |
Honinbo Sanetsu (本因坊道悦) |
1611–1658 |
8 dan |
Second head of the house Honinbo, Jun-Meijin. |
 |
Yasui Sanchi (安井算知) |
1617–1703 |
Meijin, 9 dan |
Second head of the house Yasui. |
 |
Honinbo Doetsu (本因坊道悦) |
1636–1727 |
7 dan |
Third head of the house Honinbo. |
 |
Honinbo Dosaku (本因坊道策) |
1645–1702 |
Meijin, 9 dan |
Fourth head of the house Honinbo. One of the greatest players of all time, and the first Kisei (go saint); an important influence on go theory. |
 |
Honinbo Doteki (本因坊道的) |
1669–1690 |
7 dan |
Heir to the house Honinbo. Was considered an extremely talented Go prodigy.[4] |
 |
Hayashi Monnyu (林門入) |
1678–1719 |
6 dan |
Second head of the Hayashi house. |
 |
Honinbo Dochi (本因坊道知) |
1690–1727 |
Meijin, 9 dan |
Fifth head of the house Honinbo. |
 |
Honinbo Chihaku (本因坊知伯) |
1710–1733 |
6 dan |
Sixth Honinbo. |
 |
Honinbo Shuhaku (本因坊秀伯) |
1716–1741 |
6 dan |
Seventh head of the house Honinbo. |
 |
Honinbo Satsugen (本因坊察元) |
1733–1788 |
Meijin, 9 dan |
Ninth head of the house Honinbo. |
 |
Honinbo Genjo (本因坊元丈) |
1775–1832 |
8 dan |
Eleventh head of the house Honinbo. |
 |
Honinbo Jowa (本因坊丈和) |
1787–1847 |
8 dan |
Was dubbed Kisei (go sage), played the famous "Blood Vomiting Game" with Akaboshi Intetsu. |
 |
Ota Yuzo (太田雄蔵) |
1807–1856 |
7 dan |
was a close friend of Honinbo Shusaku and once played a famous sanjubango (30 game match) with him. |
 |
Intetsu Akaboshi |
1810–1835 |
7 dan |
a promising go player whose life was cut short. |
 |
Honinbo Shusaku (本因坊秀策) |
1829–1862 |
7 dan |
One of the greatest players ever, he sadly died young. He was posthumously awarded the title of Kisei (go sage). |
 |
Honinbo Shuho (本因坊秀甫) |
1838–1886 |
8 dan |
Was the founder of Hoensha and the man who taught Go to Oskar Korschelt. |
 |
Honinbo Shuei (本因坊秀栄) |
1854–1907 |
9 dan |
was the 17th and again 19th head of the Honinbo house. Very active and innovative in the 1890s. |
 |
Honinbo Shusai (本因坊秀哉) |
1874–1940 |
9 dan |
was the last inheritor of "Honinbo" title, and founder of the Nihon Ki-in. |
| Origin |
Name |
DOB–DOD |
Peak rank |
Notes |
 |
Kensaku Segoe (瀬越憲作) |
1889–1972 |
9 dan |
was famous for bringing and teaching Go Seigen and Cho Hunhyun in Japan. |
 |
Utaro Hashimoto (橋本宇太郎) |
1907–1994 |
9 dan |
was the founder of the Kansai Ki-in. |
 |
Minoru Kitani (木谷実) |
1909–1975 |
9 dan |
was a great friend and rival to Go Seigen. Go and Kitani were the vanguard of the Shin-fuseki or "New Opening", a great advance in go theory. Most prolific teacher ever. Pupils include Masao Kato, Yoshio Ishida, Hideo Otake, Kim In, Cho Chikun, Masaki Takemiya and Koichi Kobayashi. |
 |
Toshihiro Shimamura (島村俊廣) |
1912–1991 |
9 dan |
|
 |
Hidehiro Miyashita (宫下秀洋) |
1913–1976 |
9 dan |
|
 |
Dogen Handa (半田道玄) |
1914–1974 |
9 dan |
|
 |
Go Seigen (呉清源) |
1914– |
9 dan |
Wu Qingyuan in Chinese. is considered by many the greatest player of the 20th century, perhaps the greatest of all time. He had a superb match play record, before the current era dominated by annual titles. |
 |
Kaku Takagawa (高川格) |
1915–1986 |
9 dan |
The first of only four players to receive the Honorary Honinbo title. |
 |
Hosai Fujisawa (藤沢朋斎) |
1919–1993 |
9 dan |
one of the greatest players of the 60's. |
 |
Eio Sakata (坂田栄男) |
1920– |
9 dan |
his nicknames include "Razor Sakata", the "Master of myoushu" (brilliant move). He was the former longtime holder of most championship titles with 64. |
 |
Shuchi Kubouchi (窪内秀知) |
1920– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-in. |
 |
Toshio Sakai (酒井淑夫) |
1920–1983 |
6 dan |
|
 |
Masao Sugiuchi (杉内雅男) |
1920– |
9 dan |
nicknamed "the God of Go" for his serious attitude towards Go. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Takeo Kajiwara (梶原武雄) |
1923– |
9 dan |
one of the "three crows". |
 |
Sunao Sato |
1924–2004 |
9 dan |
|
 |
Hideyuki Fujisawa (藤沢秀行) |
1925– |
9 dan |
is Honorary Kisei after winning the Kisei 6 times in a row. |
 |
Toshiro Yamabe (山部俊郎) |
1926–2000 |
9 dan |
one of the "three crows". |
 |
Keizo Suzuki |
1927–1945 |
3 dan |
one of the "three crows". |
 |
Yasuro Kikuchi (加藤朋子) |
1929– |
8 dan |
is the most famous amateur go player in Japan. |
 |
Shuzo Ohira (大平修三) |
1930–1998 |
9 dan |
|
 |
Naoki Miyamoto (宮本直毅) |
1934– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-in. |
 |
Shoji Hashimoto (僑本昌二) |
1935– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-In. |
 |
Yasuo Koyama (小山靖男) |
1937–2000 |
9 dan |
|
 |
Takeo Ando (安藤武夫) |
1938– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Hiroaki Tōno (东野弘昭) |
1939– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-in. |
 |
Norio Kudo (工藤紀夫) |
1940– |
9 dan |
current President for the International Go Federation. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Kunio Ishii (石井邦生) |
1941– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Rin Kaiho (林海峰) |
1942– |
9 dan |
was one of Go Seigen's students. Known for winning many titles at a young age. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Yasumasa Hane (羽根泰正) |
1944– |
9 dan |
father of Hane Naoki. |
 |
Manfred Wimmer |
1944–1995 |
2 dan |
Born in Austria, became the first western Go professional in 1978, doing so with the Kansai Ki-in. Reached 2p the same year, and later brought Go to Kenya and Madagascar. |
 |
Kunihisa Honda (本田邦久) |
1945– |
9 dan |
|
 |
Masao Kato (加藤正夫) |
1947–2004 |
9 dan |
was the master of the attacking style, who died on December 30, 2004. |
 |
Yoshio Ishida (石田芳夫) |
1948– |
9 dan |
is the youngest ever Honinbo winner and one of the strongest players of the 1970s. TV commentator. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Shigeru Baba (馬場滋) |
1949– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Goro Miyazawa (宮沢吾朗) |
1949– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Shuzo Awaji (淡路修三) |
1949– |
9 dan |
famous for his Go school. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Akira Ishida (石田章) |
1949– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Masaki Takemiya (武宮正樹) |
1951– |
9 dan |
is famous for his 'cosmic style', aiming for territory in the center of the board rather than the sides. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Koichi Kobayashi (小林光一) |
1952– |
9 dan |
has the third most titles in Japan with 57. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Cho Chikun (조치훈 ; 趙治勳) |
1956– |
9 dan |
Cho Chihun in Korean, is among the best players of the late 20th century - passed Sakata in late 2002 for most titles in Japan with 66. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
O Rissei (王立誠) |
1958– |
9 dan |
one of the first Taiwanese Go players to become a professional in Japan. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Hiroshi Yamashiro (山城宏) |
1958– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Satoshi Kataoka (片岡聡) |
1958– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Satoru Kobayashi (小林覚) |
1959– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
O Meien (王銘琬) |
1961– |
9 dan |
famous for his "Meien-isms", a special way of opening a game. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Michael Redmond |
1963– |
9 dan |
is the first non-Asian (American) to attain rank of 9-dan. TV commentator for the Japanese network NHK. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Shinichi Aoki (青木紳一) |
1965– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Norimoto Yoda (依田紀基) |
1966– |
9 dan |
Has one of the best track records in international tournaments for Japan. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Toshiya Imamura (今村俊也) |
1966– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-in. |
 |
Hideki Komatsu (小松英樹) |
1967– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Kikuyo Aoki (青木) |
1968– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Hans Pietsch |
1968–2003 |
6 dan |
Known for spreading Go around the world. |
 |
Tomoyasu Mimura (三村智保) |
1969– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Michihiro Morita (森田道博) |
1970– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Cho Sonjin (조선진) |
1970– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Ryu Shikun (류시훈, 柳時熏) |
1971– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Kimio Yamada (山田規三生) |
1972– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Satoshi Yuki (結城聡) |
1972– |
9 dan |
The third youngest player to become a professional, and second youngest professional for the Kansai Ki-in. Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-In. |
 |
Catalin Taranu (タラヌ・カタリン) |
1973– |
5 dan |
One of Romania's best players and a pro in Japan. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Yukari Yoshihara (梅澤由香里) |
1973– |
5 dan |
The Go player who supervised the production of the manga Hikaru no Go. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Hideyuki Sakai (坂井秀至) |
1973– |
8 dan |
Won the World Amateur Go Championship in 2000. Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-in. |
 |
Shinya Nakamura (仲邑信也) |
1973– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Atsushi Kato (加藤充志) |
1974– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Kaori Chinen (知念 かおり) |
1974– |
4 dan |
Honorary Women's Kisei. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Shinji Takao (高尾紳路) |
1976– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Naoki Hane (羽根直樹) |
1976– |
9 dan |
In 2002, Hane broke the record for fastest promotion to 9 dan in Nihon Ki-in history. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Han Zenki (ハンゼンキ) |
1977– |
7 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Tomochika Mizokami (溝上知親) |
1977– |
7 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Keigo Yamashita (山下敬吾) |
1978– |
9 dan |
Has an innovative style harking back to shinfuseki. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Kim Shushun (김수준, 金秀俊) |
1979– |
7 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
So Yokoku (蘇耀国) |
1979– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Cho U (張栩) |
1980– |
9 dan |
In 2003, Cho U broke the record for fastest promotion to 9 dan in Nihon Ki-in history. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Takehisa Matsumoto (松本武久) |
1980– |
6 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Rin Kono (河野臨) |
1981– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Ko Reibun (孔令文) |
1981– |
5 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Atsushi Tsuruyama (鶴山淳志) |
1981– |
6 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Kana Mannami (万波佳奈) |
1983– |
3 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Taiki Seto (瀬戸大樹) |
1984– |
6 dan |
Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-in. |
 |
Nobuaki Anzai (安斎伸彰) |
1985– |
4 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in. |
 |
Ko Iso (黄翊祖) |
1987– |
7 dan |
Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Yuta Iyama (井山裕太) |
1988– |
7 dan |
Became the youngest title holder ever in 2005 after winning the Agon Cup. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In. |
 |
Daisuke Murakawa (村川大介) |
1990– |
3 dan |
The youngest Kansai Ki-in pro ever. Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-in. |
| Origin |
Name |
DoB–DoD |
Peak rank |
Notes |
 |
Chen Zude (陈祖德) |
1944– |
9 dan |
was the chairman of Zhongguo Qiyuan from 1992-2003 and is also the current president of the association. Famous for popularizing the Chinese fuseki. |
 |
Nie Weiping (聂卫平) |
1944– |
9 dan |
Challenged for many top international titles in the late 1980's. Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Liu Xiaoguang (刘小光) |
1960– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Cao Dayuan (曹韩) |
1962– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Ma Xiaochun (马晓春) |
1962– |
9 dan |
A top player in China during the 1990s. Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Feng Yun (丰云) |
1966– |
9 dan |
Second woman ever attain rank of 9-dan. Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Qian Yuping |
1966– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Yu Bin (俞斌) |
1967– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Shao Weigang (邵孙维刚) |
1973– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Chang Hao (常昊) |
1976– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Zhou Heyang (周鹤洋) |
1976– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Luo Xihe (罗洗河) |
1977– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Wang Lei (王磊) |
1978– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Ding Wei (丁偉) |
1979– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Huang Yizhong |
1981– |
6 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Kong Jie (港捷) |
1982– |
7 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Qiu Jun (邱峻) |
1982– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Tang Li (唐莉) |
1982– |
1 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Hu Yaoyu (胡耀宇) |
1982– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Gu Li (古力) |
1983– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Xie He (谢赫) |
1984– |
5 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Liu Xing (刘星) |
1984– |
6 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Wang Xi (王檄) |
1984– |
6 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Piao Wenyao |
1988– |
5 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Chen Yaoye (陳耀燁) |
1989– |
9 dan |
Youngest professional 9 dan at 17 years of age. Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
 |
Li Zhe (李喆) |
1989– |
4 dan |
Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan. |
| Origin |
Name |
DOB–DOD |
Peak rank |
Notes |
 |
Cho Namchul (조남철) |
1923–2006 |
9 dan |
Founder of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Kang Cheol-min (姜哲民) |
1939–2002 |
8 dan |
|
 |
Kim In (김인, 金寅) |
1943– |
9 dan |
Won several titles during the 60s and 70s. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Ha Chanseok |
1948– |
8 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Jimmy Cha |
1951– |
4 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Cho Hunhyun (조훈현, 曺薰鉉) |
1953– |
9 dan |
The strongest Go player in South Korea during the 1970s up to the period of domination from his student Lee Chang-ho. Holder of the most titles by a professional player. Also holder of the most consecutive title defense, winning the Paewang title 16 times in-a-row. |
 |
Seo Bongsoo (서봉수, 徐奉洙) |
1953– |
9 dan |
was Cho Hunhyun's biggest rival in the 80's. Known for his excessive list of runner up titles. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Zhujiu Jiang (江鑄久) |
1962– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Rui Naiwei (芮乃伟) |
1963– |
9 dan |
First woman to attain rank of 9-dan. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Yoo Changhyuk (유창혁, 劉昌赫) |
1966– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Janice Kim |
1969– |
3 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Lee Chang-ho (이창호, 李昌鎬) |
1975– |
9 dan |
One of the strongest players in the world. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Choi Myung-Hoon (崔明勳) |
1975– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
An Choyoung (安祚永) |
1979– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Mok Jin-seok (목진석, 睦鎭碩) |
1980– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Alexandre Dinerchtein |
1980– |
1 dan |
The first Russian professional Go player. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Cho Hanseung ) |
1980– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Lee Sedol (이세돌; 李世乭) |
1983– |
9 dan |
One of the strongest players in the world. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Park Jungsang |
1984– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Hong Minpyo |
1984– |
5 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Park Seunghyun |
1984– |
4 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Choi Cheol-han (최철한, 崔哲澣) |
1985– |
9 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Pak Yeong-hun (박영훈 [朴永訓]) |
1985– |
9 dan |
A young and established Korean go professional. He reached 9 dan after 5 years, making him the youngest Korean 9 dan professional ever. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Kim Dong Hee |
1985– |
2 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Won Seong-jin |
1985– |
7 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Song Tae Kon (송태곤, 宋泰坤) |
1986– |
7 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Heo Young-ho |
1986– |
5 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Ko Geuntae (고근태, 高根台) |
1987– |
5 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Yun Junsang |
1987– |
6 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |
 |
Kang Dongyun |
1989– |
7 dan |
Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon. |