Letter from Karl Robinson to John Olmstead

16 May 1958

Dear John (Olmsted):

Since Shimada's book did not arrive. I wrote Ikeda in Osaka. He replied under date of May 12th that on May 5th he had sent me by "sea mail"' a "first print" copy of the book, the title of which he translates as the "Structure of Go". Shimada called it "The Theory of Go". Ikeda says that I should receive the book no later than 30 days (June 4th). The publication date is 31 March 1958. Apparently the book from Shimada's publisher went astray.

Ikeda identifies the book, translating from the Preface, as "a trial of improvement on his old book of same subject (issued in 1933) contains vast modification of author's view on theoretical go game."

I do not understand the date 1933. Shimada's papers in Igo Shunju were published in 1939. 1 am writing Ikeda for elucidation. Ikeda will hereafter help me to correspond with Shimada by acting as middle man translator.

Ikeda [IKEDA Tokuzo] gives this description:

<<<<
   Following are chapters in which your name and Dr Olmsted's 
are cited together with you views from your old manuscript as:

Chapter IV (pp 52-73) "Robinson's Research."

   Part 1: America's Go Theory (p 52-56)
   Part 2: Rule of Go (excerpt translation from your manuscript 
           with author's comments. pp 57-73)

Chapter V: (pp 74-88) Olmsted's Go.

   Part 1: Olmsted's go-board. (pp 74-79)
   Part 2: Olmsted's Go (pp 79-88)

In the Preface, author says that the book is a trial of 
improvement on his old book of same subject (issued in 1933), 
containing vast modification of author's view on theoretical 
go game.

>>>
Apparently Shimada found his copy of the 1941 mss, or took notes before it disappeared in the post-war confusion.

John Bauer is ready to translate the book as soon as it arrives.

Sincerely,

Karl Davis Robinson

cc: John D. Goodell


Back to the introductory page.