Overview

Tomoko Ogawa (小川誠子, April 1, 1951 – November 15, 2019) was a Japanese professional player of the board game Go. She held the professional rank of 7-dan and was affiliated with the Nihon Ki-in, one of Japan's main Go institutions. Ogawa contributed to the professional Go scene in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as a competitor, teacher, and participant in the game's community activities.

Rank and affiliation

Ogawa achieved the professional rank of 7-dan, a senior professional grade that reflects a high level of skill and experience. She was a member of the Nihon Ki-in, the principal organization for professional Go in Japan. The Nihon Ki-in organizes tournaments, issues professional rankings, and supports study and promotion of the game of Go.

Career and activities

As a professional, Ogawa took part in official matches and league play, and she was involved in teaching and mentoring younger players. Typical activities for professionals of her standing include:

  • Competing in national and regional tournaments and title leagues
  • Offering teaching games, commentary, and instruction for students
  • Participating in public events to promote Go and its cultural heritage

Context and significance

Ogawa's career should be seen within the broader development of professional Go in Japan, where institutions such as the Nihon Ki-in have structured training, promotion, and competition for decades. Female professionals have played an important role in expanding the game's reach; Ogawa's 7-dan status placed her among the more senior and experienced women professionals of her generation.

Legacy

While individual tournament records and specific accomplishments vary, Ogawa is remembered as a committed professional associated with the mainstream Japanese Go community. Her passing in 2019 marked the close of a long involvement with the game; colleagues, students, and organizations continue to acknowledge the contributions of players like her to teaching, competition, and the cultural life of Go.

Further information: For general background on professional ranks, see the 7-dan entry here, for an introduction to the game consult this resource, and for details about institutional structure visit the Nihon Ki-in.