Yasuharu Ōyama


Yasuharu Ōyama was a professional shogi player, 15th Lifetime Meijin and president of Japan Shogi Association. He studied shogi under. He won 80 titles, 44 other type tournaments and 1433 games in life, and was awarded five lifetime titles: Lifetime Meijin, Lifetime Jūdan, Lifetime Ōi, Lifetime Kisei and Lifetime Ōshō. Among his 80 titles, 18 were the Meijin title. He has appeared in the Meijin title match 25 times winning 18; he also holds the record for the most consecutive Meijin titles, the most overall Meijin titles, and being the oldest player to challenge for the Meijin title, at age 63 in 1986.
Ōyama played as professional from 1940 until his death in 1992. His students include Michio Ariyoshi, Isao Nakata and Hisashi Namekata. He was awarded as honorary citizen of Kurashiki, Okayama, his birthplace and then Hyakkoku, Aomori.
Ōyama had a strong interest in other kinds of boardgames, including go, mahjong, chess, chu shogi and xiangqi. He founded Japan Xiangqi Association in 1973 and served as its president.

Honours