Jonathan A. Hill Archives - Rare Book Insider

A large & heavy woodblock (450 x 330 x 30 mm.), entitled “Igo kisoi kagami” å ç¢ç« é¡, carved on one side, concerning the game of go & participants’ rankings

[Japan]: "July 1886." This handsome and large woodblock is finely carved; it is a sort of "popularity chart," or igo banzuke å ç¢çªä», of participants (their names are given) and their rankings for the Asian game of go. We note that one team consisted of aristocrats and the other of merchants, an interesting example of playful "class warfare." Fine condition. A printed copy of the woodblock is included.