Annual Shogi Awards

The Annual Shogi Awards (将棋大賞 shōgi taishō) are a number of prizes awarded yearly by the Japan Shogi Association to professional and amateur shogi players who have achieved particular success.

The first Annual Shogi Awards were presented in 1974.

The Kōzō Masuda Award (升田幸三賞 Masuda Kōzō shō) and the Kōzō Masuda Special Prize (升田幸三賞特別賞 Masuda Kōzō shō takubetsu shō) are two prizes awarded to professional or amateur players who have made an outstanding contribution to the development and evolution of shogi openings by way of innovation or excellence in shogi theory or tactics.

The awards are named after the innovative player, Kōzō Masuda.

The Masuda Award is given out yearly since 1995 while the Masuda Special Prize is awarded infrequently.