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Masao Tsukada
Tsukada in 1952.
Native name	塚田正夫
Born	( 1914 -08-02)August 2, 1914
Hometown	Bunkyō
Nationality	Japanese
Died	December 30, 1977(1977-12-30) (aged 63)
Career
Achieved professional status	January 1, 1932(1932-01-01) (aged 17)
Badge Number	11
Rank	10dan
Teacher	Chōtarō Hanada
Lifetime titles	Lifetime Ninth Dan
Major titles won	6
Tournaments won	4
Notable students	Yukio Miyasaka
Websites
JSA profile page

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Masao Tsukada (塚田 正夫,tsukada masao, August 2, 1914 – December 30, 1977) was a Japaneseprofessional shogi player who achieved the rank of 8-dan (the highest dan at the time) and also 10-dan, which is an honorary rank, after death. He is a formerMeijin andNinth Dan title holder.^[1]

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Masao Tsukada was born inBunkyō, Tokyo, Japan, in 1914. Growing up, he was influenced by his family's strong interest in traditional Japanese games, particularly shogi. From an early age, Tsukada showed a keen interest in the game and was mentored by several local players before being introduced to his primary teacher,Chōtarō Hanada, who played a key role in shaping his professional shogi career.

He entered theJapan Shogi Association (JSA) at the age of 17, demonstrating his potential in shogi. Tsukada's early training was rigorous, involving a combination of private lessons and competition in various local tournaments.

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Tsukada made his professional debut at the young age of 17, starting in the 1932Shogi professional league. His quick rise in the ranks was impressive, and by 1935, he had achieved the 4-dan rank, making him one of the youngest rising stars in the shogi world at the time.

In the years following his promotion, Tsukada honed his strategic thinking and developed a unique playing style characterized by aggressive attacks and deep positional understanding. This made him a formidable opponent in shogi tournaments. Tsukada's ability to read the board and anticipate moves ahead of time set him apart from many of his peers.

He began competing in major tournaments in the late 1930s and early 1940s, securing several victories that helped him establish a reputation as one of Japan's top shogi professionals. By 1947, Tsukada had already won the prestigiousMeijin title, which was regarded as the most significant achievement in the shogi world. Tsukada defended his Meijin title successfully in 1948, further cementing his status as a dominant force in shogi.

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Tsukada's promotion history is marked by a series of significant milestones. Achieving 5-dan in 1937, he continued to progress rapidly through the ranks. By the time he reached 8-dan in 1947, Tsukada was widely regarded as one of the greatest players in shogi history.

In 1952, Tsukada won theNinth Dan title, which was the highest achievable rank at the time, and successfully defended it in subsequent years. The Ninth Dan title was eventually reformed into a permanent rank, with Tsukada being awarded the honoraryLifetime Ninth Dan title due to his consistent dominance and contributions to the game.

Over the course of his career, Tsukada's ranking reached 10-dan, a rare honor granted posthumously, in recognition of his groundbreaking achievements and exceptional skill. He remains one of the few players to hold this distinction.

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Tsukada's career was marked by his participation in major title matches, where he consistently proved his skill and strategic acumen. He won theMeijin title twice, in 1947 and 1948, during which time he showcased his brilliant decision-making ability and mastery of the game's complex strategies.

In addition to the Meijin title, Tsukada was a frequent contender in other major tournaments. He won theNinth Dan title a total of four times from 1952 to 1955, including three consecutive victories, which qualified him for the prestigiousLifetime Ninth Dan title. This honor was a recognition of his sustained excellence in the shogi community.

Beyond the major titles, Tsukada won several other championships, including theNHK Cup in 1953 and theŌza tournament in 1958. His career achievements also include victories in theAll-Japan Championship.

Note: Tournaments marked with a cross (†) are no longer held.

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Throughout his illustrious career, Tsukada received numerous awards and honors recognizing his exceptional contributions to the world of shogi. Among the most prestigious awards were theMedal with Purple Ribbon and theOrder of the Rising Sun, 4th class, both of which were granted by the Japanese government for his cultural contributions to Japan.

In addition to his government honors, Tsukada was a respected figure within theJapan Shogi Association (JSA), serving as the president and helping to shape the future of the game in Japan. His efforts to modernize the game and make it more accessible to a broader audience were instrumental in the continued popularity of shogi both domestically and internationally.

• Japan Shogi Associationofficial profile page(in Japanese)

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