Yasuharu Ōyama

Yasuharu Oyama after winning the Meijin title for the first time in 1952.

Yasuharu Ōyama (大山康晴 Ōyama Yasuharu, March 13, 1923 - July 26, 1992^[1]) was a professional shogi player, 15th Lifetime Meijin^[1] and president of Japan Shogi Association (1976 - 1989).^[2] He studied shogi under Kinjiro Kimi (木見金治郎 Kinjirō Kimi).^[1] He won 80 titles (2nd on record), 44 other type tournaments (1st on record as of 2014) and 1433 games (1st on record) in life, and was awarded five lifetime titles: Lifetime Meijin, Lifetime Jūdan, Lifetime Ōi, Lifetime Kisei and Lifetime Ōshō.^[1]

Ōyama played as professional from 1940 until his death in 1992.^[1] His students include Michio Ariyoshi, Isao Nakata and Hisashi Namekata. He was awarded as honorary citizen of Kurashiki, Okayama, his birthplace^[1] and then Hyakkoku, Aomori (now merged to Oirase, Aomori).^[3]

Ōyama had a strong interest in other kinds of boardgames, including go, mahjong, chess, chu shogi^[4] and xiangqi. He founded Japan Xiangqi Association in 1973 and served as its president.^[5]

Honours

• Medal with Purple Ribbon (1979)
• Kikuchi Kan Prize (1987)
• Person of Cultural Merit (1990)
• Order of the Sacred Treasure, 2nd class, Gold and Silver Star (1992)
• Senior Fourth Rank (1992)

Gallery

• 
  Ōyama Meijin Memorial Hall in Kurashiki

References

1. "棋士紹介-物故棋士　（1955年以降）". 日本将棋連盟. 日本将棋連盟 (Japan Shogi Association). Retrieved 29 September 2014.
2. "組織概要[創立・沿革]". 日本将棋連盟. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
3. "大山将棋記念館". Tooなび・青森情報サイト. Too Nippo Sha. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
4. "故・大山康晴名人による中将棋のススメ". 中将棋連盟. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
5. "シャンチーとは". シャンチー協会. 日本シャンチー協会. Retrieved 29 September 2014.