From: Dick Iwakura <dickcon <at> HK <dot> NTTDATA <dot> NET>
Date: 19 sep 1996
Subject: Shogi Pro. Grade

Hello, Shogi Fans:

        Adding to Reijers's information, I made the following detail :


        Class           Minumum Dan             Numbers Pros.

        C-2             4 Dan                   51 Persons
        C-1             5                       23
        B-2             6                       23
        B-1             7                       13
        A               8                       10


        Approx. annual income from Shogi Renmei for B-2 Class might be US$50,000 as
        salary.  C-2,C-1 weak Pros must work for others job such as teaching shogi to
        amateurs for earling their life expenses ordinally. Strong pros in any class
        can get a lot of income like Miura Kisei, Yashiki 7 Dan (All Nippon Title).

        The most profitable tournament for pros. is Ryo-O match.  For example, Tanigawa
        9-dan who is the challenger to Habu this time could already obtain US$110,000.
        If he would make success to beat Habu san this time, he can get other US$310,000.
        Therefore, total income for him till getting Ryu-O title are for US$420,000.
        It's really BIG AMOUNT!
        Even if he looses the game with Habu san, total payment to him should be for
        US$180,000 guaranteed which is to be paid in next year around May or June.

        Meijin Holder is, of course, No.1 authorized one based on its long history
        but Ryu-O holder is the richest shogi pro.

                                                        Regards         Dick Iwakura