Emperors and Generals
Originally devised as a model of warfare, Go was prized by royals and generals for sharpening strategic thinking. This section highlights elegant courtly Go sets and artworks showing emperors playing with envoys, sages, and generals—reflecting Go's dynastic popularity and its ties to imperial politics. Some pieces even depict nobles gambling on grand stakes like mountains or lakes, contrasting with the literati's more refined "elegant bets."
Emperor Minghuang of Tang Dynasty Playing Go Attributed to Zhou Wenju, Five Dynasties Handscroll- 32.8x134.5
- Gu Hua 000981
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty (also known as Minghuang, r. 685-762) was a devoted Go player who reportedly played with Japanese monk Benshō before his reign and later appointed the Go master Wang Jixin as court player. This painting, featuring an untouched Go board, a costumed entertainer, and a polo stick, reflects his many leisure pursuits and subtly warns of the dangers of indulgence. An imperial inscription by Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty (r. 1736-1795) refers to the tale of Minghuang's favorite concubine Yang Guifei (719-756) sending her dog to disrupt a losing game, criticizing the Tang emperor's decadence and poor governance. Though once attributed to Zhou Wenju, the painting's style aligns more closely with Yuan artist Ren Renfa (1254-1327).
Complete Manual of Go Composed by the Master of Sitting-in-Seclusion Studio Wang Tingna, Ming Dynasty- Woodblock printed book, Wang of Shulin edition, Ming Dynasty
- Single Page: 31.7x27.8
- National Central Library 307.7 06815
Originally the Yuan-Dynasty Classic of Profound Go, this book was later falsely attributed to Ming scholar-merchant Wang Tingna (1573–1619), a known Go enthusiast. Focused on Go strategies, it includes the famous puzzle entitled "Emperor Minghuang of Tang Dynasty Visits the Moon Palace" puzzle. In this challenge, white plays first to capture black. Through ingenious moves, the board becomes a patterned display of black and white stones, evoking the emperor's legendary moon journey with a Daoist. The puzzle's name reflects
Imperial Penmanship of Emperor Taizu of Ming Dynasty (Volume One): Imperial Edict Bestowing (Ritual Offerings) upon the Generalissimo, Duke of Wei, and Grand Preceptor to the Heir Apparent, Xu Da- Zhu Yuanzhang, Ming Dynasty Album leaf
- 37.8x35.3
- Zhong Shu 000014-11
The right side of this album leaf features a vermilion cursive decree by the Ming founder Zhu Yuanzhang(r. 1368—1398), while the left presents the text in regular script. It records Zhu sharing sacrificial offerings with Xu Da(1332—1385). A loyal ally in politics and war, Xu was also Zhu's in-law and Go companion. This decree reflects the emperor's deep regard for him.
Green and Blue Glass Go Pieces with Black Lacquer Containers Qing Dynasty- Precious craft
- Go Pieces: D. 1.7, H. 0.7; Go Containers: L. 7.3, W. 6.8, H. 5.9
- Gu Za 001677, 001680, 000523
"Crow and Heron"—its pieces can be surprisingly colorful. This set of green and blue glass Go pieces from the Qing court exemplifies that vibrancy. Stored in black lacquer boxes with gold decoration, the stones are translucent, weighty, and smooth to the touch. Qing records note Emperor Qianlong (r.1736-1795)'s commission of glass Go pieces in 16 colors, four of which survive in the Museum's collection. This set shows two colors, while red and yellow stones are on view in the "Legacy of Magnificent Glory" gallery. The flat-and-domed design seen here became popular from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) onward.
Go-and-Chinese-Chess Board in Brocade over Wood Qing Dynasty- Precious craft
- 32x31.7
- Gu Za 000683
This dual-use board is made of thin wood wrapped in white silk, with ink-drawn lines forming two game grids—Go on one side, Chinese Chess on the other. Easily folded and stored, it is portable and compact. While early Western Han (202 BCE-9 CE) boards had 11 or 13 lines on each side, the 17-line grid became standard in the Eastern Han (25-220). This 19-line board represents a form widely used since the Six Dynasties (3rd–6th centuries). It was stored in a multi-compartment treasure box, once accompanied by jade Go and Chinese Chess pieces.
Xie An Betting His Villa Anonymous, Attributed to Song Dynasty Hanging scroll- 59.5x101.3
- Gu Si 000131
A master of calm under pressure, Xie An (320-385), a famed statesman of the Eastern Jin, is shown playing Go in this tapestry amid an invasion. As recorded in the Book of Jin, he remained unshaken even as Former Qin forces led by Fu Jian (338-385) approached. In the lush garden, he plays against his nephew Xie Xuan (343-388), who led the troops, betting his Dongshan villa in the game. Even after news of victory arrived, he managed to quietly finish the game before accidentally tripping over and breaking his clogs in joy. Though attributed to the Song, the figures and Go board suggest Ming stylistic traits and a hidden outcome within the match.
