Kisei finals game 1 will be held at the Waikiki Prince Hotel on January 22-23, 2026. Current Kisei title holder Ichiriki Ryo will defend his title against challenger Shibano Toramaru. The finals is a best of 7 series. The remaining games will be held in Japan.
Ichiriki and Shibano have played in the finals quite a bit recently. They played against each other in the 2024, 2025 Meijin finals, 2025 Honinbo finals, 2024 Tengen finals and the 2024, 2025 Agon finals. Shibano has lost each of these finals to Ichiriki. What will happen in the Kisei finals?
If Ichiriki Ryo wins the series, he will attain the title of honorary Kisei for winning this title for 5 consecutive years.
As part of the tournament match taking place in Honolulu, Nihon Kiin will be sending pros to provide free go lessons and opportunities such as simultaneous games for US players, and Yomiuri Travel will be bringing amateur go enthusiasts from Japan who will be looking to play US amateurs in single and pair Go.
The Kisei activities will occur over 3 days from Jan 21-23:
Jan. 21st: Welcome Reception at Japanese Consulate
Jan. 22nd: Kisei game Day 1, Game analysis, Japan-US Exchange games, Beginner classes, Coaching games
Jan. 23rd: Kisei game Day 2 , Game analysis, Beginner classes
The dates and times of the simultaneous games, Go class, matches between the Japan contingent and US players is in the link below and will occur at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. It is important to know is that participation in these events is open to Go players outside of Hawaii. So this is a good reason to come to Hawaii.
The game analysis will be done by American born Nihon Kiin Go professional Michael Redmond 9P and Kansai Kiin Go professional Iwata Saeka 2P.
Coaching games will be done by Hsieh Yi Min 7P.
Japan tour pro lead will be Yasuda Akika 1P.
Profiles below. Use the buttons. Let your browser translate to English.
Send an email to honolulugoclub@gmail.com if you wish to participate in any of the activities.
Sign up and schedule at
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wsxjMTu18zOxiz9hZaAoE6Bl7cEbgBoxeVmM2D6Wrqw/edit?gid=0#gid=0