From: Sunny SANO NIFTYSERVE OR JP> Date: 7 dec 1995 Subject: My stand point -3- Date: 07-12-95 It's true that thousands or ten thousands western people are already accustomed to the existing western system. But, we are bound to spread it to millions of people ! At that time, those who have made fundamentals just like you are the pioneers in this field and will be in a position to lead a lot of new comers as seniors. We do hope you'd be generous enough to adopt the original terms and join with us. Existing system is, I have to say, confusing one even for chess players. In chess, number 1, 2, 3, . . . is from the bottom to the top. Letter a, b, c, . . . is from the left to the right. It's completely reversed in Shogi! And further, in chess White plays first while in Shogi Black does. Isn't it confusing ? And, please consider once a lot of Shogi fans in Japan who want it become popular through the world but quite ignorantof foreign language. Trully they are ashamed to call Shogi pieces by the terms of chess, and just don't do that. You don't need to learn nor speak Japanese to enjoy Shogi with them. Just call [Kin} for Gold, [Gin] for Silver. It's just enough ! Isn't it cruel that they have to say Knight for Keima or Gold for Kin ? And those poor Japanese can never enjoy Shogi with the fans abroad even they visited Japan. Let's look at the sunny side of the thing. You all have long been making efforts in reading peculiar chinese letters and spreading Shogi game with no support. We see well how Japanese Shogi people have been "not warm enough" to you. But now, the situation is changing. Japan is willingly to aid and support a move to introduce Japanese culture to the world. It will not spare the support including the monetary aid. In order that the association functions well, it's indispensable that the spirit of the culture is maintained. We are now organizing a team to lead the movement. Most of Japanese will not agree that the precious and traditional Shogi game prevail over the world with chess terminology. No, never! It's not Shogi. It's a Japanese chess. I put G beneath the Gyok, F beneath the Foo, and so on in order that western people read easily its name. Isn't it practical for new comers ? We hope you understand our stand point and "faisons la paix!" Warmest salutation to all people who have read that long letter. K. Sunny SANO