[Takatsuki City] Professional Shogi Player Gives Lesson at Elementary School in Takatsuki, the “City of Shogi”
Takatsuki City Press Release: September 1, 2025 Professional shogi player gives lecture at elementary school in Takatsuki, the “town of shogi” Learn about traditional culture and the importance of forests through shogi
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first-graders at municipal elementary schools since 2022 to promote the game, which has a deep connection to the city, and to deepen understanding of Japan’s ancient traditional culture. The first on-site lesson of the year was held on Monday, September 1, 2025, at Takatsuki City Abuno Elementary School. The students enjoyed a lesson by 8th-dan shogi player Masahiko Urano, who has ties to the city. This city has had a deep connection with shogi since ancient times, with many small and medium shogi pieces from the Edo period being excavated from the site of the Sannomaru bailey of Takatsuki Castle, where samurai residences once spread. Takatsuki is known as the “City of Shogi,” as it is home to the Kansai Shogi Hall, operates city buses decorated with designs of shogi players, has postboxes, manhole covers, and benches with shogi designs, and is decorated on the platform and around JR Takatsuki Station, the nearest station to the Kansai Shogi Hall. Starting in fiscal year 2022, with the aim of familiarizing children with shogi and deepening their understanding of Japan’s ancient traditional culture, the city is distributing shogi pieces made from wood produced in Takatsuki to first-graders in the city’s elementary schools and conducting on-site lessons taught by shogi players affiliated with the Japan Shogi Association at all 41 of the city’s public elementary schools. This year’s on-site lessons began on Monday, September 1st, with instructor Masahiko Urano, an 8th-dan shogi player with ties to the city, as the instructor. During the lesson at Abuno Elementary School that day, the homeroom teacher began with a “wood education” session, teaching the students that shogi pieces are made from wind-fallen trees and thinned wood from Takatsuki’s forests, and that forests, which create a rich natural environment, are an essential part of life. Next, 8th Dan Urano appeared in the classroom. “Let’s touch the shogi pieces in the box,” he said, and the students carefully removed the pieces from the box, picking them up and bringing them close to their noses to experience the feel and smell of wooden shogi pieces. Afterwards, the students paired up to try out “yamakuzushi” (mountain collapse) and also learned about shogi etiquette. The children happily shared their impressions, saying, “It’s the first time I’ve smelled wood, but it smells so nice,” and “I want to play shogi when I get home.” Going forward, we plan to hold on-site lessons at various schools until around January next year.