Quick Facts
Biography
Yasuharu Ōyama (大山康晴 Ōyama Yasuharu, March 13, 1923 - July 26, 1992) was a professional shogi player, 15th Lifetime Meijin and president of Japan Shogi Association (1976 - 1989). He studied shogi under Kinjiro Kimi (木見金治郎, Kinjirō Kimi). He won 80 titles (2nd on record), 44 other type tournaments (1st on record as of 2014) and 1433 games (1st on record) in life, and was awarded five lifetime titles: Lifetime Meijin, Lifetime Jūdan, Lifetime Ōi, Lifetime Kisei and Lifetime Ōshō.
Ōyama played as professional from 1940 until his death in 1992. His students include Michio Ariyoshi, Isao Nakata and Hisashi Namekata. He was awarded as honorary citizen of Kurashiki, Okayama, his birthplace and then Hyakkoku, Aomori (now merged to Oirase, Aomori).
Ōyama had a strong interest in other kinds of boardgames, including go, mahjong, chess, chu shogi and xiangqi. He founded Japan Xiangqi Association in 1973 and served as its president.
Honours
- Medal with Purple Ribbon (1979)
- Kikuchi Kan Prize (1987)
- Person of Cultural Merit (1990)
- Order of the Sacred Treasure, 2nd class, Gold and Silver Star (1992)
- Senior Fourth Rank (1992)