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[Sota Fujii] A collection of cool quotes from the young genius of the shogi world: heartfelt thoughts on competition that linger in the heart
Sota Fujii, who became the youngest professional shogi player in history and captured each title in record time.
While drawing attention as a prodigy in the shogi world, his words—marked by humility and deep insight—have touched the hearts of many.
Here, we introduce some of Sota Fujii’s memorable sayings that speak not only to shogi matches but also to the subtleties of life.
Each of his words carries profound meaning that resonates with our own lives.
Whether you’re a shogi fan or someone striving toward a goal, you’re sure to find words that speak to you.
[Sota Fujii] A Collection of Cool Quotes from the Young Genius of the Shogi World: Memorable Reflections on Competition (1–10)
I think talent is more like potential—something that can be refined through effort.Sota Fujii
Sota Fujii, who has set a variety of records and is even called a “genius,” naturally makes us wonder whether his shogi prowess is an inborn talent.
As the famous saying goes about “talent” and “effort,” it seems that behind the Fujii fever lies an extraordinary amount of hard work.
There are times when we think, “I have neither talent nor luck,” and quickly give up on our dreams and goals.
But like Sota Fujii, if we refuse to give up and keep going, we may discover a special talent along the way, refine it, and truly shine.
Since we have a god here, I’d love the chance to play a game with you.Sota Fujii
In response to the question, “If there were a god of shogi, what would you ask for?”, Sota Fujii answered as follows.
Don’t his words make it clear how much he thinks about shogi every day? You can also sense his curiosity—his desire to deepen his understanding of the game and to know how a god would play shogi.
Sota Fujii’s strength goes without saying, of course.
Yet he is not content with that; his determination to aim even higher is truly moving.
When you feel tempted to take the easy way out, try recalling these words.
I don’t really know what my strengths are, or rather, I don’t think about them in comparison to others.Sota Fujii
From Sota Fujii’s posture when he’s playing shogi, you get the impression that he truly enjoys the game.
Rather than focusing solely on winning, it’s said that his stronger desire is to become better at shogi.
Instead of worrying about how skilled people around him are, he may be approaching the game with a pure sense of enjoyment.
It’s the same with studying or work—if you’re always chasing results, it can feel dull.
Perhaps his strength comes from holding onto a clear personal desire for how he wants to be and consistently putting in the effort to reach it.
Given my actual ability, there’s no other way to describe the 20 straight wins than sheer good fortune. I want to play each game one by one without thinking about the streak.Sota Fujii
Many people were probably surprised by how rich Sota Fujii’s vocabulary is in interviews.
His use of beautiful Japanese also reveals the goodness of his character.
After all, if you’ve won 20 straight games, it wouldn’t be strange to be brimming with joy and to talk to others in a heightened mood.
Yet he described his victory as “gyoko,” a stroke of good fortune gained by chance.
Moreover, the way he calmly turns to the next match feels refreshing.
His constant humility and forward-looking attitude make those around him want to cheer him on, and his words inspire us to do our best as well.
You need both the joy of winning and the frustration of losing, and the balance between them is important.Sota Fujii
Since Sota Fujii has been playing shogi since he was a child, I believe he has grown up alongside the game.
He must have felt a range of emotions when he won and when he lost.
People grow by using the frustration of defeat as a springboard.
However, frustration alone does not heighten motivation or drive.
He says that both joy and frustration are important, and that maintaining a balance between them is crucial.
Precisely because he has produced results, his words carry credibility.
If you think they’re above the clouds, you can’t win, so in a match it’s equal (fair) between us.Sota Fujii
Yoshiharu Habu is also famous in Japan’s shogi world, isn’t he? A memorable quote from an interview after a match with Habu really conveys the feeling of living in the world of competition.
In response to the interviewer who described Habu as “a person above the clouds,” Sota Fujii gave a characteristically Fujii-like reply that became a famous line.
Indeed, when results haven’t yet been achieved, even someone ranked above you is equal.
And if you convince yourself before the battle that your opponent is stronger, you might lose in spirit.
It’s a quote that can be seen as guidance for one’s mindset, directed at people striving toward their goals.
To win, you can only get closer to the best.Sota Fujii
Sota Fujii’s skill is undeniable, but that doesn’t mean he can win every time.
Not just in shogi—there’s no such thing as a guaranteed victory—and a single bad move can completely change the flow of a game.
To win, it’s about how close you can get to the best possible play… That’s very difficult, but it’s important to bring out the very best within yourself in any situation.
Even if you make mistakes or fail, remember these words, keep fighting without giving up until the end, and seize the victory.
The best move and the winning move do not necessarily coincide.Sota Fujii
Sota Fujii, who said he was looking forward to taking his time thinking during the Meijin title match with its nine-hour time limit, has reportedly read as far as 32 moves ahead in some games.
In fact, looking 32 moves ahead involves more than a billion possible positions.
Imagining him searching for the single best move that yields the most favorable position at a given moment really conveys the depth of shogi.
Even when you devise and execute a good plan, the results may be disappointing.
Perhaps that’s exactly where Fujii has stayed calm and thought through what to do next.
The best move and winning are not always the same—something that can happen in our daily lives, too.
Let’s take these wise words to heart and keep thinking about our next move and putting it into action.
Rather than being unable to accept losing, it makes me acutely aware of my own weakness.Sota Fujii
There are times when you work really hard but still don’t get good results.
We tend to judge based only on the outcome, but that also teaches us about our own weaknesses.
Looking at yourself objectively and acknowledging your weaknesses is painful and difficult.
Yet by confronting the opposite extreme and earnestly accepting the true level of his shogi ability, perhaps that’s exactly why Sota Fujii is who he is today.
By the way, it seems he made this statement as a second-year high school student.
It’s a memorable quote that could only come from someone who has been fighting as a professional in shogi since middle school.
I’m sure there are views you can only see by becoming stronger, and I want to go far enough to see them.Sota Fujii
Sota Fujii became a professional shogi player at the record-breaking age of 14 years and 2 months.
Even now, and surely at various milestones in the world of shogi, he has witnessed views that can only be seen from such rare vantage points.
In 2023, he achieved the remarkable feat of capturing all eight major titles.
Yet, it’s said that Fujii does not let himself be bound by records; he plays shogi with the stance of simply wanting to become genuinely stronger.
His famous quotes convey his feelings toward the game.
Perhaps there are places that only those who have mastered their field can reach.