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YUSUKE OEDA 9P: 1935-2010

Yusuke Oeda 9P has died. Born in 1935, he was a student of Nobuaki Maeda, and was Michael Redmond 9P's dojo mentor. "In addition to his work with young players, he was a prime mover in international go," says Barbara Calhoun, former director for the International Go Federation. "Through his efforts, the Meijin Tournament came to New York City for the first time, in 1987, and many other such exchanges have followed." Oeda was a major organizer of the annual World Amateur Go Championship, as well as the IGF. “Mr Oeda was a skilled teacher of professional students,” Michael Redmond tells the E-Journal. “He created a strict and go-centered environment that pushed his students to professional strength. In my case, my years spent living in his house were vital for my future success as a go player. Mr Oeda was also generous with his knowledge of the fine points of Japanese language and culture, and he gave me a basic understanding of the country that I live in.” Adds Calhoun, “He was an emotional man who could relate to and communicate with people culturally different from him. He seemed to thrive on traveling and networking. A natural for the work he was doing." - Chris Garlock; photo courtesy Sensei's Library