The History of the Game of Go

e was two degrees, the weaker player would be allowed to place a stone on the board, and the stronger player would have the first move, and so on; in other words, the difference between each degree might be called half a stone. Thus, a player of the fourth degree would allow a player of the first degree to place two stones on the board as a handicap, but would have the first move. A player of the seventh degree would allow a player of the first degree three stones, and a player of the ninth degree would allow a player of the first degree four stones. Four was the highest handicap allowed among the players holding degrees, but, as we shall see later, among players of less skill greater handicaps are frequently given.

A player of the seventh degree also received the honorary title "Jo zu," or the higher hand. Those of the eighth rank were called "Kan shu," or the half-way step, and those of the ninth degree were called "Mei shu," the clear, bright hand, or "Meijin," literally "celebrated man." It is rela