Yoshiharu Habu: Just try things without thinking. Even if you think something is useless, you never know where it might come in handy.

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Yoshiharu Habu　
Born September 27, 1970. Born in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture. Triple Crown (Oza, Oza, Osho) (Asahi Open Championship)
(Eternal Kisei, Eternal King, Honorary King, Eternal Ki King). A student of 9th Dan Nigami Tatsuya.
Yoshiharu Habu has taken the world of shogi by storm. He became a professional at a young age and achieved the remarkable feat of winning seven titles at the age of 25. In this article, we explore Habu's life as a competitive player and the appeal of shogi.

What made you start playing shogi?

"I was invited to play shogi by a friend when I was in the first grade of elementary school. I started playing shogi as a hobby, just like playing baseball or soccer. Then, in the summer of my second year of elementary school, I participated in a children's shogi tournament, which prompted me to start attending a shogi dojo. The joy of shogi is that it has to be decided. I enjoy the thrill of waiting for the decision, the fun of exploring different moves, and the joy of seeing the winner. I became number one in Japan in a tournament when I was in sixth grade, and started playing shogi full-time."

What was your student life like?

"Shogi matches take up an entire day, so I always missed school three or four days a month.
Shukuken did a good job though (laughs). Unlike now, I didn't have to go to cram school back then, so I was able to take it easy."　

What was the reaction of those around you when you turned professional at the age of 15, in your third year of junior high school?

"Both my parents and friends were surprised. Originally, my parents had only sent me to the shogi dojo as a daycare center where they could leave me while they went shopping, and my friends often skipped school, but they never imagined I would become a professional. I was worried about what would happen next. Everyone I played against was older than me, and although I knew their faces, I didn't know their names. Just because I became a professional doesn't mean I'd suddenly start earning money, so I thought it would all depend on my own efforts."

What was it like winning seven titles at the age of 25?

"I feel like I've accomplished something. It was a milestone, but it's not the end. Rather than it being difficult, I've been completely absorbed in it. I don't have any deep feelings about each game, and I tend to forget about them. I just play many games every day and move forward. I don't have a policy of looking back at the past, so even though I worked hard at the time, when I look back I feel like, 'I was really working hard.' Unlike sports, there is no season, so I just do it casually every day, like a marathon."

Despite achieving incredible feats, Mr. Hanyu has not rested on his laurels and continues to work calmly as a gambler every day... What is he thinking about during a game?

"I don't think about anything. In the world of shogi, you can't blame others for the outcome of the match. Unlike sports, you can't blame the referee. Also, because you're not sweating or running, you can't release your emotions and you end up bottled up inside. In order to avoid letting them build up and simmering down, I play without thinking about anything. My motto is "Hachimen Reiron" (beautiful from all angles, and having no resentment in one's heart), and I want to keep my mind as clear as when looking at Mount Fuji. I don't do anything particularly unusual on the morning of a match, and I don't carry Midorioki or anything like that. Because once you start, there's no end to it. I just play without thinking about anything, that's all."

The top shogi players born in the 1970s are collectively known as the "Habu generation." Are you all rivals?

"I don't really think of them as rivals. My peers have been together since we were kids and have grown up while competing with each other. I don't think I got strong on my own. I don't know what the future holds, but I think we'll continue to be good friends (laughs)."

Do you have any future goals?

"I want to keep working steadily. I want to show a different style when I'm in my 40s or 50s. I want to be able to come up with the right answer without thinking too much. I want to hone my intuition and game instincts so that I can use them effectively. I also want to teach shogi to children. I don't go to teach children that often, but I'm always amazed by the ideas and inspirations that the children come up with that make me think, 'Wow, that move here?!' I want the shogi world of the future to be one of high quality. I think it's important to continue the history."

What is the source of Hanyu's strength?

"I guess it's about discovering things. Discovering little things like, 'Oh, there's a bakery,' or 'Oh, morning glories, it's summer!' I hope that this also applies to the world of shogi."

What does shogi mean to you, Mr. Hanyu?

"It's a habit, and a part of my life. I don't feel like shogi is my life, but I guess it's something that walks alongside me."

Finally, please give us a message for the students.

"When I was around 20 years old, I thought that time was infinite. But recently I've started to feel that this isn't the case. So I want all students to use their time wisely. Also, there may be things that you're doing now that seem pointless, but don't think of it that way; just keep doing them. Because it may come in handy someday, somewhere. There are a lot of young people these days who say, 'I can't find what I want to do,' but the key is to just do it without thinking about it. If you think too much, you'll develop habits that prevent you from carrying out your goals, and I think that's why you'll give up on most things."
Thank you very much, Hanyu-san!

From the August 2006 issue of the Student Newspaper