Shogi takes center stage at the Asian Civilizations Museum (ACM) as the institution refreshes its landmark exhibition, Let’s Play! The Art and Design of Asian Games, blending history, strategy, and pop culture into a timely cultural moment.
The exhibition arrives alongside a significant milestone: the museum’s acquisition of a historic championship game table, donated by the Singapore Weiqi Association.
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At the same time, ACM introduces a new showcase: Shogi in Manga: March Comes in Like a Lion, presented in partnership with the Japan Shogi Association to commemorate 60 years of Singapore–Japan diplomatic relations.
Shogi in manga: Where strategy meets storytelling
Running alongside the main exhibition, “Shogi in Manga: March Comes in Like a Lion” introduces visitors to shogi, Japan’s centuries-old strategy game, through the lens of contemporary storytelling.
A traditional Japanese strategy board game often described as a more dynamic counterpart to chess, shogi allows captured pieces to be reused by the opponent. With centuries of history, it blends deep tactical thinking with cultural significance, and remains a major professional sport in Japan today.
This intellectual depth has also made shogi a familiar presence in Japanese pop culture, most notably in Naruto, where Shikamaru Nara is often seen playing the game as a reflection of his calm, highly strategic mindset and genius-level planning in battle.
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The exhibition is inspired by the acclaimed series March Comes in Like a Lion by Chica Umino, a critically acclaimed Japanese manga first serialized in Japan in 2007, later adapted into an anime that aired from 2016 to 2018.
The story follows a young professional shogi player navigating competition, loneliness, and personal growth, offering one of the most thoughtful portrayals of the game in modern pop culture.
“As someone who promotes Japanese culture, I am particularly excited that this showcase brings together two cultural treasures,” said Akiko Kawabe, Director of Japan Creative Centre, Embassy of Japan in Singapore, during the panel sharing with media.
“This showcase brings together two cultural treasures – Japan’s shogi and manga – beautifully demonstrating Japanese games and culture,” she added.
Visitors can explore life-sized character panels, a manga reading corner, and digital scenes that highlight the journey of a young professional shogi player. The experience is designed to resonate particularly with younger audiences encountering the game for the first time.
A historic table: Singapore’s weiqi milestone
At the heart of the refreshed exhibition is the Ing Cup championship table, first used during the final two games of the 1988 tournament—one of the most prestigious events in weiqi (Go).
Its addition to ACM’s national collection ensures that a defining chapter of Singapore’s mind sports history is preserved for future generations.
The donation comes at a pivotal moment for Singapore’s weiqi scene. On March 31, 2026, 15-year-old Chen Yihang became the nation’s first professional 1-dan player, certified by the Nihon Ki-in.
His journey—from competing at the 2019 Southeast Asia Go Congress to training full-time in Japan—reflects the growing global reach of Singapore’s mind sports community.
A championship moment in Singapore
The showcase also ties into the SJ60 Eiou Championship Singapore Match, one of Japan’s major professional shogi title events.
Following the final match on April 3, 2026, the very board used in competition will be displayed within the exhibition—offering a rare bridge between live play and museum curation.
“I’m truly pleased Japanese culture can transcend borders and generations, connecting with so many fans,” said Kawabe.
This integration of contemporary competition and cultural storytelling underscores shogi’s enduring relevance, not just as a game of strategy, but as a living cultural tradition.
Beyond shogi and weiqi, the refreshed Let’s Play! exhibition expands its scope with 25 video interviews featuring Singapore-based mind sports players. These personal accounts—detailing training, discipline, and passion—offer visitors a deeper understanding of the intellectual rigor behind these games.
ACM’s initiative reflects a broader shift: the growing recognition of mind sports as official sports in Singapore, and their continued importance in shaping cultural identity across Asia.
Let’s Play! The Art and Design of Asian Games runs until Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the Asian Civilizations Museum.
With its blend of history, competition, and pop culture, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience shogi and other mind sports in a new light.
