The traditional Japanese board game of shogi was brought to life in northern Japan, as people dressed in the costumes of medieval samurai warriors served as life-size game pieces.

Young shogi prodigy Fujii Sota played an open-air match in Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture. Tendo is the country's top producer of wooden shogi pieces.

Forty participants followed instructions from Fujii and his opponent, fellow professional shogi player Sasaki Daichi, who both spoke like samurai warlords.

The annual event is normally held during the cherry blossom season, but had been canceled for two consecutive years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This year, 660 lucky lottery winners were able to watch the game played by top-ranked Fujii, who currently holds five of the eight major shogi titles. A large monitor for public viewing was set up near the venue.

The players had to follow a special rule that all pieces must be moved at least once. Fujii said afterwards that he had been anxious about playing the human shogi match for the first time. The champion said he was relieved to have been able to finish the exciting game with Sasaki's gracious assistance.