Hifumi Katō Explained
| Hifumi Katō |
| Native Name: | 加藤一二三 |
| Born: | January 1, 1940 |
| Hometown: | Kama, Fukuoka |
| Nationality: | Japanese |
| Badge No: | 64 |
| Rank: | 9-dan |
| Teacher Rank: | 9-dan |
| No Titles: | 8 |
| Tournaments: | 23 |
| Wins: | 1324 |
| Losses: | 1180 |
| Winloss Ref: | [1] |
| Jsa: | 64 |
is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 9-dan.[2]
He is a former Meijin, Tenth Dan, Ōi, Kiō and Ōshō major title holder.
He has the nicknames 123 and ひふみん Hifumin given by his fans.[3]
Katō had the record for the youngest professional player who went pro at 14 years and 7 months old until Sōta Fujii became professional in 2016 at age 14 years and 2 months.[4]
Shogi professional
Playing style
Katō is known for playing aggressive Climbing Silver strategies. He received a Masuda Special Award in 2017 for his innovations to this strategy over his career.[5]
Additionally, the Katō variation (加藤流 katō-ryū) of the Double Fortress opening is named after him.
Promotion history
Katō's promotion history is as follows:[6]
- 3-kyū: 1951
- 1-dan: 1953
- 4-dan: August 1, 1954
- 5-dan: April 1, 1955
- 6-dan: April 1, 1956
- 7-dan: April 1, 1957
- 8-dan: April 1, 1958
- 9-dan: November 3, 1973
- Retired: June 20, 2017
Titles and other championships
Katō appeared in major title matches a total of twenty-four times, and won a total of eight titles.[7] In addition to major titles, Katō won twenty-three other shogi championships during his career.[8]
Major titles
| Title | Years | Number of times overall |
|---|
| Meijin | 1982 | 1 |
|
| 1968, 198081 | 3 |
| Ōi | 1984 | 1 |
| Kiō | 197677 | 2 |
| Ōshō | 1978 | 1 | |
Note: Tournaments marked with an asterisk (*) are no longer held.
Other championships
| Tournament | Years | Number of times |
|---|
| Ōza | 1962 | 1 |
| NHK Cup | 1960, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1981, 1993 | 7 |
| 1977, 1981, 1990 | 3 |
| 1983, 1987 | 2 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1956, 1964, 1966 | 3 |
| 1958, 1960 | 2 |
| 1955 | 1 |
| 1959 | 1 |
| Other | | 1 | |
Note: Tournaments marked with an asterisk (*) are no longer held.
Awards and honors
Katō has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career for his accomplishments in both on an off the shogi board. These include the Annual Shogi Awards given out by the JSA for performance in official games and other awards given out by governmental organizations, etc. for contributions made to Japanese society.[9] [10]
Annual shogi awards
- 4th Annual Awards (April 1976March 1977): Most Games Won, Most Consecutive Games Won, Technique Award
- 5th Annual Awards (April 1977March 1978): Distinguished Service Award
- 6th Annual Awards (April 1978March 1979): Distinguished Service Award
- 8th Annual Awards (April 1980March 1981): Distinguished Service Award
- 9th Annual Awards (April 1981March 1982): Player of the Year, Most Consecutive Games Won
- 12th Annual Awards (April 1984March 1985): Most Games Won, Most Games Played
- 29th Annual Awards (April 2001March 2002): Tokyo Press Club Award
- 44th Annual Awards (April 2016March 2017): Special Award, Kōzō Masuda Award Special Prize
Other awards
- 1977: Shogi Honor Fighting-spirit Award (Awarded by JSA in recognition of winning 600 official games as a professional)
- 1978: 25 Years Service Award (Awarded by the JSA in recognition of being an active professional for twenty-five years)
- 1982: Shogi Honor Fighting-spirit Award (Awarded by JSA in recognition of winning 800 official games as a professional)
- 1986: Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester
- 1989: Special Shogi Honor Award (Awarded by the JSA in recognition of winning 1,000 official games as a professional)
- 1993: 40 Years Service Award (Awarded by the JSA in recognition of being an active professional for forty years)
- 2000: Medal with Purple Ribbon
- 2001: 1200 Wins Award (Awarded by the JSA in recognition of winning 1,200 official games as a professional)
- 2003: 50 Years Service Award (Awarded by the JSA in recognition of being an active professional for fifty years)
- 2022: Person of Cultural Merit[11]
Personal life
Katō was baptized as a Catholic in 1970, and his Christian name is Paul. He was made a Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by Pope John Paul II in 1986.[12]
External links
Notes and References
- News: . Katō Kudan Yabure Intai Saikō Nenrei Nanajūnanasai Kishi Seikatsu Rokujūsannen ni Maku. ja:加藤九段敗れ引退 最高齢77歳 棋士生活63年に幕. ja. Shogi's older professional Hifumi Katō retires after losing last official game; the 77-year-old Katō's career spanned 63 years.. June 21, 2017. Nishinippon Shimbun. December 19, 2023.
- Web site: Kishi Dētabēsu: Katō Hifumi. ja:棋士データベース: 加藤一二三. ja. Professional Shogi Player Database: Hifumi Katō. Japan Shogi Association. February 28, 2018.
- News: . Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii known for fiery competitive spirit since kindergarten. June 27, 2017. Japan Times. Kyodo News. In his debut match as a pro in December, Fujii defeated Kato, who is one of the most famous players in the nation, known as "Hifumin" by his fans.. February 28, 2018.
- News: . Boy, 14, breaks record for youngest pro 'shogi' player. September 4, 2016. Japan Times. Jiji Press. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160905133404/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/09/04/national/boy-14-breaks-record-youngest-pro-shogi-player. September 5, 2016. June 20, 2022.
- News: Announcement of the 44th Shogi Grand Prize Winners. March 31, 2017. February 28, 2018.
- Web site: Kishi Dētabēsu: Katō Hifumi Shōdan. ja:棋士データベース: 加藤一二三 昇段履歴. ja. Professional Shogi Player Database: Hifumi Katō Promotion History. Japan Shogi Association. May 18, 2021.
- Web site: Kishi Dētabēsu: Katō Hifumi Taitoru Rireki. ja:棋士データベース: 加藤一二三 タイトル履歴. ja. Professional Shogi Player Database: Hifumi Katō Major Title History. Japan Shogi Association. April 19, 2019.
- Web site: Kishi Dētabēsu: Katō Hifumi Yūshō Rireki. ja:棋士データベース: 加藤一二三 優勝履歴. ja. Professional Shogi Player Database: Hifumi Katō Championship History. Japan Shogi Association. April 19, 2019.
- Web site: Kishi Dētabēsu: Katō Hifumi Shōgi Taishō. ja:棋士データベース: 加藤一二三 将棋大賞. ja. Professional Shogi Player Database: Hifumi Katō Annual Shogi Awards. Japan Shogi Association. April 19, 2019.
- Web site: Kishi Dētabēsu: Katō Hifumi Sonota Hyōshō. ja:棋士データベース: 加藤一二三 その他表彰. ja. Professional Shogi Player Database: Hifumi Katō Other Awards. Japan Shogi Association. April 19, 2019.
- News: . Matsumoto Hakuō-shi ra Rokunin ni Bunka Kunshō Kōrōsha ni Matsutoya Yumi-shi ra. ja:松本白鸚氏ら6人に文化勲章 功労者に松任谷由実氏ら. ja. Hakuō Matsumoto and six others receive Order of Cultural Merit while Yumi Matsutoya and several others named persons of cultural merit. October 25, 2022. The Nikkei. December 19, 2023.
- Book: Geneki Purō Kishi DētaBukku 2016 [Jō] A-Ta Gyō]. ja:現役プロ棋士データブック2016 [上] あ-た. ja. 2016 Active Shogi Professional Databook [First volume] Letter "A" to Letter "Ta". 31. 2015. MyNabi Publishing/Japan Shogi Association. Google Books. April 19, 2019.
