Fujiwara-no-Sai

Fujiwara-no-Sai (????) is a fictional character in the anime and manga series Hikaru no Go.

Related Topics:
Anime - Manga - Hikaru no Go

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Sai is a ghost that was a Go player of the Heian Era. Sai had been falsely charged of cheating in a match in front of the emperor, after neglecting a mixed stone in her opponent's basket during a game to decide which player would continue as the emperor's Go instructor. It was then placed from the basket as one of his captured stones. However, when confronted, the opponent accused Sai of his own act. The emperor refused to believe one of his subordinates would dare to cheat in his presence, and the game continued. However, having been thrown off, Sai lost the match.

Related Topics:
Go player - Heian

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Sai was branded a cheater, and drowned himself two days after (having already been exiled). Still desiring to play more Go, the ghost of Sai possessed a goban. His ambition is to achieve the "Move of God," or rather to master the "Divine Move," which literally means playing a perfect game. After a great span of time, a young Kuwabara Torajir? (Hon'inbo Shusaku) came across the Goban and willingly let Sai occupy his mind. Through him many consider the boy to be the greatest player in the golden age of Go, and is still a renowned legend.

Related Topics:
Go - Move of God - Hon'inbo Shusaku

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After Shusaku died of disease at 34, Sai returned to the Goban. It was another 140 years before Hikaru Shindo (the first and primary protagonist of Hikaru no Go) discovered the Goban in his grandfather's attic. However, not having an interest in Go as Shusaku did, he would not so willingly let Sai play. As the story progresses, Hikaru develops a love for Go. However, this only serves to demote Sai from a player to a coach.

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It becomes Sai's firm belief that God chose Hikaru to be possessed (rather the likes of Akira Toya), as to develop his potential rather than to play (and thusly achieve the Divine Move) himself.

Related Topics:
God - Akira Toya

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After realizing there is nothing left for him to do, he disappears half way through the manga, and at the end of the anime. It's never explained the true fate of Sai, though given the cyclically end of the manga it could be said he returned to the goban, to be inherited by another prodigy.

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