Kisei (棋聖) is one of the seven titles in Japanese professional shogi.
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The word "Kisei" means an excellent player of shogi or Go. ("ki"(棋) = shogi or Go, "sei"(聖) = an excellent person)
Kisei tournament started in 1962. Until the year 1994, it was held twice a year.
The challenger for Kisei title holder is determined by 1st, 2nd and final preliminary round.
The player that wins three games out of five first in the championship will become the new Kisei title holder.
Lifetime Kisei
The "Lifetime Kisei" (永世棋聖, eisei kisei) title is awarded to a player who has won Kisei Championship five times. Active players may qualify for this title, but it is only officially awarded upon their retirement or death. The following professionals have qualified for this title: Yasuharu Oyama (deceased), Makoto Nakahara (retired), Kunio Yonenaga (deceased), Yoshiharu Habu (active) and Yasumitsu Satoh (active).