第十二景
Battle Under the Blue Sky: Human Shogi at Himeji Castle
A Samurai Scroll on a Board / At San-no-Maru Square
Set under a clear autumn sky in the San-no-Maru Square, "Human Shogi" is a grand spectacle. It's highly entertaining to watch humans clad in samurai armor act as shogi pieces, moving across a giant board under a commander's orders.
The Story
On November 1, 2025, I watched the "Human Shogi" match under a beautifully clear autumn sky. The giant shogi board spread out with Himeji Castle towering in the background was truly a breathtaking sight.
The absolute highlight is seeing the "human pieces" dressed in full samurai armor. It was incredibly fascinating to watch these warriors move across the board according to the orders of the commander (a professional shogi player) up on the scaffold, strategically closing in to capture the opponent's king.
Unlike a standard, quiet game of shogi, this event is dynamic, with people physically moving to the general's commands, often accompanied by dramatic flair. While the serene, quiet Himeji Castle at night is wonderful, experiencing the castle full of such vibrant energy in the autumn was also a truly fantastic experience.
Photo Tips
- LocationSan-no-Maru Square, Himeji Castle
- Event InfoAn annual event held every autumn (early November). Professional shogi players battle it out while people in real samurai armor physically reenact the moves as the "pieces."
- Photo TipsFrame the giant shogi board, the armored warriors, and the majestic white Main Keep in the background together to capture a picture-perfect samurai battle scroll unique to Himeji Castle.
