From: tiger22 <at> IX <dot> NETCOM <dot> COM
Date: 12 oct 1999
Subject: Oza history

The Oza was established in 1953 as a knockout tournament, but I have 3 sources that differ on when it became
an 'official' title match.

1) Patrick Davin's Shogi Nexus opts for 1983 and the 31st Oza as the first official title match
2) Sunny Sano's website says 1988 was the first official title match
3) George Hodge's Shogi Magazine #6 p. 4 says that the title match started in 1969.

In order for Nakahara to have 16 Oza titles, it looks like Shogi Magazine is correct.

Does anyone know the exact answer?