Event Listing 2025

The Japan Society is delighted to host a shogi workshop led by Yasushi Ishikawa, an expert instructor and certified Teaching Professional 4-dan. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the captivating world of shogi, the traditional Japanese strategy board game often referred to as Japanese chess.

With a history spanning over a thousand years, shogi is a dynamic and deeply strategic game played on a 9×9 board, with each player controlling twenty pieces. The aim is to capture your opponent’s king—but with a twist: captured pieces don’t leave the game. Instead, they switch sides and can be reintroduced to the board as your own, creating endless possibilities and thrilling turnarounds. Shogi shares similarities with Western chess but introduces distinctive features such as piece promotion and the exciting drop rule, which keeps the game fluid and rarely ends in a draw. Once predominantly played in Japan, shogi is now gaining popularity across the globe, thanks to its rich heritage, unique mechanics, and endlessly engaging gameplay.

This workshop offers two sessions tailored to different skill levels.

• Beginners' Session (10:30am - 12:30pm)
Learn the basics, play friendly matches, and enjoy bite-sized lessons throughout. This session is open to anyone new to the game, including families. Participants in the Beginners' Session will receive a portable shogi board and a set of pieces to take home.

• Mid-Advanced Session (1:30pm - 3:30pm) - currently only on Saturday 10 October at 1.30pm - please see here
Dive deeper into strategy with lectures on openings, midgame, and endgame tactics, along with guided or peer-to-peer matches.

Whether you're new to shogi or looking to sharpen your skills, this is a unique opportunity to learn, play, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. No prior experience is required for the beginners’ session.

Born in February 1994, Yasushi Ishikawa learned shogi at the age of six. He spent eight years (2007–2015) training in the Japan Shogi Association’s professional apprentice school, Shoreikai (奨励会), where he reached the rank of 3-dan. In 2023, he was certified as a Teaching Professional (Shidō Kishi) 4-dan by the Japan Shogi Association. He conducts shogi promotion activities both in person and online, with a strong focus on spreading the game overseas—especially throughout Europe.

If you have any questions, please call the Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996 or email us at: events@japansociety.org.uk

Booking Details
Booking essential – £3 per person

Priority booking for members of The Japan Society and their guests
Bookings open for non-members on Thursday 28 August 2025 (More details on how to become a member here)

*Participants in the Beginners' Session will receive a portable shogi board and a set of pieces to take home.

If you’re interested in attending the workshop but cost is a concern, please reach out to us at events@japansociety.org.uk.

Discover the World of Shogi – Japanese Chess Workshop