The 9-Piece (九枚落ち kyūmai-ochi) handicap in shogi has all of White's pieces removed except for the king, their right gold, and their line of pawns.
(Thus, their rook, bishop, silvers, knights, lances, and the left gold are all missing.)
It is not deemed an official handicap of the Japan Shogi Association.
White moves their gold upward and leftward in order to protect the seventh file pawn (on 73) and as well as preparing to move again to further protect the ninth file pawn from an early breech by Black's bishop.
If White were to make the same 2...P-54 move as in the 10-Piece handicap opening, then Black would be able to promote their bishop on the 93 square.