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Creator and 'Godfather' of Sudoku Dies Aged 69 - ABC News

Rejected submission by upstart at 2021-08-17 12:15:58
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upstart [soylentnews.org] writes:

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Creator and 'godfather' of Sudoku dies aged 69 - ABC News [abc.net.au]:

Maki Kaji, the creator of the popular numbers puzzle Sudoku whose life's work was spreading the joy of puzzles, has died, his Japanese company said on Tuesday.

Key points:

  • Maki Kaji was known as the "Godfather of Sudoku"
  • He created Sudoku as part of his love of puzzles
  • He died from bile duct cancer

He was 69 and had bile duct cancer.

Known as the "Godfather of Sudoku," Mr Kaji created the puzzle to be easy for children and others who didn't want to think too hard.

Its name is made up of the Japanese characters for "number" and "single," and players place the numbers one through nine in rows, columns and blocks without repeating them.

A lifetime of puzzles

Mr Kaji was chief executive at his puzzle company, Nikoli Co., until July and died on August 10 at his home in Mitaka, a city in the Tokyo metro area.

He travelled to more than 30 countries spreading his enjoyment of puzzles.

Sudoku championships have drawn some 200 million people in 100 countries over the years, according to Tokyo-based Nikoli.

Sudoku was also never trademarked except within Japan, driving its overseas craze, Nikoli said.

"Kaji-san came up with the name Sudoku and was loved by puzzle fans from all over the world. We are grateful from the bottom of our hearts for the patronage you have shown throughout his life," the company said in a statement.

The origins of Sudoku

Originally, Sudoku was called "Suji-wa-Dokushin-ni-Kagiru," which translates to, "Numbers should be single, a bachelor."

It wasn't until 2004 that Sudoku became a global hit, after a fan from New Zealand pitched it and got it published in the British newspaper The Times.

In recent years, Sudoku, believed to be the world's most popular pencil puzzle, has come out in digital versions.

Born in the main northern island of Hokkaido, Mr Maki started Japan's first puzzle magazine after dropping out of Keio University in Tokyo.

He founded Nikoli in 1983 and came up with Sudoku about the same time.

Yoshinao Anpuku, who succeeded Mr Kaji as Nikoli's chief executive, said Mr Kaji made friends easily and had a "unique and playful approach toward life."

"Our mission is to pursue Maki's vision and possibilities," Mr Anpuku said.

Mr Kaji is survived by his wife Naomi and two daughters.

AP

AP

Posted Tue 17 Aug 2021 at 11:19amTue 17 Aug 2021 at 11:19amTue 17 Aug 2021 at 11:19amShare

More on:

Maki Kaji, the creator of the popular numbers puzzle Sudoku whose life's work was spreading the joy of puzzles, has died, his Japanese company said on Tuesday.

Key points:

  • Maki Kaji was known as the "Godfather of Sudoku"
  • He created Sudoku as part of his love of puzzles
  • He died from bile duct cancer

He was 69 and had bile duct cancer.

Known as the "Godfather of Sudoku," Mr Kaji created the puzzle to be easy for children and others who didn't want to think too hard.

Its name is made up of the Japanese characters for "number" and "single," and players place the numbers one through nine in rows, columns and blocks without repeating them.

A lifetime of puzzles

Mr Kaji was chief executive at his puzzle company, Nikoli Co., until July and died on August 10 at his home in Mitaka, a city in the Tokyo metro area.

He travelled to more than 30 countries spreading his enjoyment of puzzles.

Sudoku championships have drawn some 200 million people in 100 countries over the years, according to Tokyo-based Nikoli.

Sudoku was also never trademarked except within Japan, driving its overseas craze, Nikoli said.

"Kaji-san came up with the name Sudoku and was loved by puzzle fans from all over the world. We are grateful from the bottom of our hearts for the patronage you have shown throughout his life," the company said in a statement.

The origins of Sudoku

Originally, Sudoku was called "Suji-wa-Dokushin-ni-Kagiru," which translates to, "Numbers should be single, a bachelor."

It wasn't until 2004 that Sudoku became a global hit, after a fan from New Zealand pitched it and got it published in the British newspaper The Times.

In recent years, Sudoku, believed to be the world's most popular pencil puzzle, has come out in digital versions.

Born in the main northern island of Hokkaido, Mr Maki started Japan's first puzzle magazine after dropping out of Keio University in Tokyo.

He founded Nikoli in 1983 and came up with Sudoku about the same time.

Yoshinao Anpuku, who succeeded Mr Kaji as Nikoli's chief executive, said Mr Kaji made friends easily and had a "unique and playful approach toward life."

"Our mission is to pursue Maki's vision and possibilities," Mr Anpuku said.

Mr Kaji is survived by his wife Naomi and two daughters.

AP

AP

Posted Tue 17 Aug 2021 at 11:19amTue 17 Aug 2021 at 11:19amTue 17 Aug 2021 at 11:19amShare

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