.) The Meijin institution started in the 17th century (
Edo period), and for around 300 years (1612–1937) was a
hereditary title that was passed from the reigning Meijin upon his retirement or death to another selected from
three families (the Ohashi Main family, the Ohashi Branch family, and the Ito family), as deemed to be worthy. This is known as the Lifetime Meijin system (). In 1935, however, the
Japan Shogi Association, or JSA, announced that it was abolishing the existing system of succession in favor of something more short-term and reflective of actual playing strength, known as the Real Strength Meijin system (). In 1937, the reigning 13th Meijin , who had received his title under the old system and was 70 years old at the time, voluntarily gave up his title so that a new Meijin could be decided through actual tournament play. Later that year
Yoshio Kimura, who was a student of Sekine, became the first Meijin to gain the title based upon actual performance by winning a tournament which included eight other top players. From 1937 to 1947, the challenger for the Meijin title was determined through tournaments involving a select number of players. Finally, in 1947, the JSA officially established the preliminary round of that it currently uses. ==Qualifying==