Yasuharu Ōyama

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 Kinjirō Kimi (木見金治郎). He won 80 titles (2nd on record), 44 other type tournaments (2nd on record) and 1433 games (2nd on record) in life, and was awarded five lifetime titles: Lifetime Meijin, Lifetime Jūdan, Lifetime Ōi, Lifetime Kisei and Lifetime Ōshō. Among his 80 titles, 18 were the Meijin title (most prestigious title in shogi, along with Ryūō). He has appeared in the Meijin title match 25 times winning 18; he also holds the record for the most consecutive Meijin titles (13 in a row from 1959 to 1971), the most overall Meijin titles, and being the oldest player to challenge for the Meijin title, at age 63 in 1986.

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 the 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)