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Yoshikazu Minami (南 芳一, Minami Yoshikazu, June 8, 1963) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is a former Kisei, Kiō, and Ōshō title holder.

Early life and apprenticeship

Minami was born in Kishiwada, Osaka on June 8, 1963. He entered the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice school at the rank of 5-kyū in 1975 as a protegee of shogi professional Akira Kinoshita [ja]. He obtained full professional status and the rank of 4-dan in January 1981.

Shogi professional

Minami is a member of the so-called Shōwa 55 group (55年組), a group of eight strong players that become professional in 1980–1981 (year 55 of the Shōwa period) and won numerous shogi tournaments. Others in the group include Osamu Nakamura, Michio Takahashi, Akira Shima, Yasuaki Tsukada, Hiroshi Kamiya, Masaki Izumi, and Yūji Yoda [ja].

In January 2018, Minami became the 20th shogi professional to win 800 official games and be awarded Shogi Honor Fighting-spirit Award by the JSA.

Minami finished the 81st Meijin Ranking League season with a record of 1 wins and 9 losses in Class C2. Since his result earned him a second relegation point, he decided to become "Free class" player instead of risking the automatic relegation that happens when a player receives three relegation points in Class C2.

Playing style

Minami is known for his steady style of starting games slowly as for his quiet manner and strict seiza posture during games. For these reasons, his style is often referred to as the Jizō-style (地蔵流, Jizōryū) after the Jizō statues common to Japanese Buddhism.

Promotion history

The promotion history for Minami is as follows:

• 5-kyū: 1977
• 1-dan: 1978
• 4-dan: January 19, 1981
• 5-dan: April 1, 1982
• 6-dan: April 1, 1983
• 7-dan: April 1, 1985
• 8-dan: April 1, 1986
• 9-dan: February 22, 1989

Titles and other championships

Minami has appeared in major title matches a total of sixteen times, and has won seven major titles. In addition to major titles, Minami has won six non-title championships during his career.

Major titles

Other championships

Note: Tournaments marked with an asterisk (*) are no longer held.

Awards and honors

Minami has received a number of awards and honors throughout his career for his accomplishments both on an off the shogi board. These include awards given out annually by the JSA for performance in official games as well as other JSA awards for career accomplishments, and awards received from governmental organizations, etc. for contributions made to Japanese society.

Annual shogi awards

• 10th Annual Awards (April 1982 – March 1983): Best New Player, Best Winning Percentage, Most Consecutive Games Won
• 13th Annual Awards (April 1985 – March 1986): Most Consecutive Games Won
• 15th Annual Awards (April 1987 – March 1988): Distinguished Service Award
• 16th Annual Awards (April 1988 – March 1989): Fighting-spirit Award
• 17th Annual Awards (April 1989 – March 1990): Technique Award

Other awards

• 1988, November: Kishiwada City Meritorious Citizen Award
• 2003: Shogi Honor Award (Awarded by the JSA in recognition of winning 600 official games as a professional)
• 2005: 25 Years Service Award (Awarded by the JSA in recognition of being an active professional for twenty-five years)
• 2018: Shogi Honor Fighting-spirit Award (Awarded by JSA in recognition of winning 800 official games as a professional)

References

1. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Minami Yoshikazu" 棋士データベース: 南芳一 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Yoshikazu Minami] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
2. Naoe, Ametsugu (January 18, 2017). "Nakamura Osamu Ichimon wo Goshōkai!" 中村修一門をご紹介! [Introducing the Osamu Nakamura "shogi family"!] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
3. ^ "Minami Yoshikazu Kudan Fujii Sōta Shichidan to no Gekitō ｢Katta to Omotta Shunkan ...｣" 南芳一九段、藤井七段との激闘 ｢勝ったと思った瞬間も...] [Yoshikazu Minami 9d on his hotly contested game against Sota Fujii 7d: "There was a moment that I thought I had won ..."]. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). November 16, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
4. "Minami Yoshikazu Kudan Nijūninme no Eiyokantōshō" 南芳一九段 20人目の栄誉敢闘賞 [Yoshikazu Minami is the 20th Shogi Professional to be awarded the Shogi Honor Fighting-spirit Award]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). January 1, 2019. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
5. ^ "Dai Hachijūikki Meijin-sen･Jun'i-sen Sīkyū Nikumi" 第81期名人戦･順位戦 C級2組 [81st Mejin Ranking League: Class C2] (in Japanese). 2022–2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
6. "Shōdan･Intai･Kyūjo Kishi no Oshirase" 昇段･引退･休場棋士のお知らせ [Promotions, retirements and leaves of absence] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. April 3, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
7. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Minami Yoshikazu Shōdan Rireki" 棋士データベース: 南芳一 昇段履歴 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Yoshikazu Minami Promotion History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
8. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Minami Yoshikazu Taitoru Rireki" 棋士データベース: 南芳一 タイトル履歴 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Yoshikazu Minami Major Title History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
9. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Minami Yoshikazu Yūshō Rireki" 棋士データベース: 南芳一 優勝履歴 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Yoshikazu Minami Championship History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
10. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Minami Yoshikazu Shōgi Taishō" 棋士データベース: 南芳一 将棋大賞 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Yoshikazu Minami Annual Shogi Awards] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
11. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Minami Yoshikazu Sonota Hyōshō" 棋士データベース: 南芳一 その他表彰 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Yoshikazu Minami Other Awards] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved June 5, 2019.

External links

• ShogiHub: Professional Player Info · Minami, Yoshikazu

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• 1963 births
• Japanese shogi players
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• Professional shogi players from Osaka Prefecture
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