Setup

Each side places his pieces in the positions shown below, pointing toward the opponent.

• In the rank nearest the player:
• The king is placed in the centre file.
• The two gold generals are placed in the adjacent files to the king.
• The two silver generals are placed adjacent to each gold general.
• The two knights are placed adjacent to each silver general.
• The two lances are placed in the corners, adjacent to each knight.

That is, the first rank is |L|N|S|G|K|G|S|N|L|.

• In the second rank, each player places:
• The bishop in the same file as the knight on the player's left.
• The rook in the same file as the knight on the player's right.
• In the third rank, the nine pawns are placed one in each file.

Traditionally, even the order of placing the pieces on the board is determined. There are two recognised orders: ohashi and ito.