Summary
Sai is a spirit from the Heian era of Japan and serves as the mentor of Hikaru Shindo. He constantly plays Go with the ultimate goal of discovering the divine move, also known as the Hand of God. In both the manga and anime, Sai possessed the body of the historical figure Hon'inbo Shusaku, using this vessel to become a celebrated Go player. He holds a deep rivalry with Koyo Toya, also known as Toya Meijin, and persuades Hikaru to arrange a match between them. By modern standards, Sai appears extremely effeminate, which aligns with the appearance of high-born men from the Heian period. He is frequently depicted with traditionally feminine features and mannerisms. The mangaka Yumi Hotta has noted that fans sometimes mistakenly refer to him as female in the intermission pages of the manga. Sai’s highly emotional nature is also characteristic of a Heian male; he occasionally weeps profusely, soaking his long sleeves with tears. In his own time, this behavior would be respected as a sign of intelligence and sensitivity. His name, Fujiwara, indicates that he is related to the Fujiwara clan, a noble family of immense prestige during the Heian period.
