was a Japanese professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 9-dan. He is a former Meijin who was known for playing very creative shogi. For instance, top player Yoshiharu Habu considered Masuda's playing style to be 30 years ahead of its time and the origin of the modern way to play shogi.
Each year since 1995 the Japan Shogi Association has awarded the Kà Âzà  Masuda Award (Ã¥ÂÂç°幸ä¸Âè³ Masuda Kà Âzà  Shà Â) to the player or players whose innovative new ideas in shogi theory or tactics, or whose new or excellent moves have attracted significant attention among other shogi players and fans during the year.
A second award is the Masuda Special Prize (Ã¥ÂÂç°幸ä¸Âè³Âç¹åÂ¥è³Â), which is given out infrequently.
The promotion history of Masuda is as follows:
Masuda won the Meijin title in 1957 and 1958, and was the loser in the title match another eight times. He also won the Osho title three times (1951 and 1955âÂÂ56) and the now defunct twice (1957âÂÂ58). Overall, Masuda won a major title seven times and appeared in a major title match twenty-three times during his career.
In addition to major titles, Masuda won the NHK Shogi Cup three times (1952, 1957 and 1963) and other shogi tournaments four times.
Masuda was awarded the Japanese government's Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbons in November 1973.