We have a special guest from Japan on February 6th.  Mrs.Yasuko Imamura of Kansai Go Association, an amateur 6th Dan Go instructor, will visit San Francisco and is pleased to offer an exclusive introductory Go lesson for beginners.  This will be an unique hands-on Go workshop by a Japanese instructor.  Please take this special opportunity to learn about the history and challenge of ancient Japanese game.  No previous Go experience nor Japanese language skills are required to participate in this workshop.
What is Go?
Go, or igo 囲碁 in Japanese, is a two player board game that originated in ancient China more than 2,500 years ago. It is believed to have been introduced to Japan by the scholar Kibi Makibi in the beginning of the 8^th century. Go was actively played during the Nara period (710-794) and the Heian period (794-1185) as a game of the aristocracy. Go soon found its way to public popularity and has been enjoyed by people of all ages and levels as a game of skill and strategy. 
Yasuko Imamura

Yasuko Imamura was born in Kyoto and graduated from Ryukoku University College of Buddhist Studies.  Originally of the Kansai Ki-in, as an instructor, she has commentated on professional matches, organized and chaired events, and contributed to the spread of Go.  She has appeared on NHK television shows explaining Go and has made Go fans out of all ages of viewers through her excellent explanation style.  She is a Heian Women’s College guest lecturer.  Her husband, Toshiya Imamura, is a 9 Dan Go master and Executive Director of the Kansai Ki-in.
Her titles include:
51st All Japan Women’s Amateur Go Championships: Best 4
27th Asahi Kansai Women’s Amateur Go Masters (Meijin) Tournament: Meijin
15th Kansai Queen’s Cup Go Tournament:Champion
All-Japan Women’s Amateru Championship: Kyoto Representative
**This event has limited space and registration is first come first served. Please register early to ensure your spot in this event.
Date & Time:
Friday, 2/6  6:00-7:45pm
5:45 – 6:00 pm Registration
6:00 – 6:15 pm History and sportsmanship of Go
6:15 – 7:00 pm Rules of Go (positioning, winning and losing)
7:00 – 7:15 pm Simple game(ishi-tori game)
7:15 – 7:45 pm Full games 
Location:
Japan Society of Northern California
500 Washington St., #300
San Francisco, CA 94111
Cost:
$5 Japan Society members
$8 Non-members

Please click here to register!
 *The deadline to RSVP for this event is Thursdays, February 5, 2015.  Refunds will not be made after this date.
This workshop is a collaboration with the Japanese Consulate and the Japan Society of Northern California.