The Master of Go: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Master of Go" features a profound exploration of its major characters against the backdrop of a pivotal Go match that symbolizes the clash between tradition and modernity. The central figure, Shsai, represents the old aristocratic order, having dedicated his life to the intricate artistry of Go. At sixty-five, he faces a formidable challenge from the young player Otaké, whose aggressive and materialistic approach starkly contrasts with Shsai's deep reverence for the game. This retirement match, a grueling five-month endeavor, not only tests the players' skills but also reflects the shifting societal values of the time. Otaké's opportunistic tactics and personal struggles, including his responsibility towards his sick child, highlight his lack of appreciation for the game's artistic spirit. Narrating the events is Uragami, a newspaper reporter who captures the match's nuances with keen detail. He admires Shsai's commitment to the game's aesthetics and strives to maintain the integrity of the match, urging Otaké not to forfeit. The interplay between these characters reveals deeper themes of dedication, change, and the evolving nature of competition in a modernizing world.
The Master of Go: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Yasunari Kawabata
First published: Meijin, 1942–1954, serial; 1954, book (English translation, 1972)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Tokyo and It, Japan
Plot: Livre à clef
Time: 1938–1940
Shsai, the master of Go and the emblem of a transition between the past aristocratic order and the new, more democratic era. Shsai has devoted his life to the game of Go, losing himself in the artistry of play. At the age of sixty-five, he agrees to a retirement match with Otaké, a strenuous five-month game that further weakens the fragile old man. A move by Otaké that seems to take unfair advantage of the rules angers the master, and, shortly thereafter, he makes an error that costs him the game. A year later, the master dies.
Otaké, the challenger. The nervous and aggressive young Otaké lacks the master's love of game-playing for its own sake. He reluctantly accepts a shorter timetable to accommodate the ailing master, and he threatens to forfeit the match when the modified schedule prevents him from attending to his sick child. Otaké's lack of concern for the spirit of artistic play, further revealed by his opportunistic move, signals the triumph of the materialistic modern age.
Uragami, the narrator. As a newspaper reporter, Uragami faithfully reports the progress of the match with a sensitivity to detail. As the narrator of the novel, however, he often recounts events by association rather than chronological sequence. Although he lacks the dedication and stamina of either contestant, he admires the master's devotion to the aesthetics of the game, and he convinces Otaké not to spoil the match by forfeiting it over a dispute.