Masako Katsura, nick name “Katsy”, was a Japanese carom billiards player who gained fame as the ‘First Lady of Billiards’. From the 1950s onwards, her career soared and she achieved many titles amongst top players. She established a new standard for women by playing in traditionally male dominated billiard competitions. With instruction from Kinrey Matsuyama, Japan’s title holder at the time, Katsura soon mastered the game, becoming the oldest female official player in Japan. During competition she scored 10,000 points in straight rail which gained her much attention from society. Her achievements have secured her place in history with her death on 20 December 1995.
Masako Katsura wins her reputation by playing billiards
With all this training, Masako Katsura immediately proved herself skilled in the profession, participating in championships and defeating top Japanese billiard players from neighboring areas.
At a young age, she began playing billiards. She won the women’s championship straight rail tournament at the age of 15. Even Katsura’s youngest siblings could participate in the sport, as evidenced by the fact that both won the same competition just a few months later. It was not an easy accomplishment.
At a time when women did not play the game of billiards, Masako Katsura was a skilled player. Because she often competed in competitive environments, her achievements were all the more remarkable. In Japan, it was also disapproved of for women to play the sport in public. This attitude persists to this day.
As a result of this situation, Katsura’s accomplishments rose to a much higher level. In her state, she became a superstar.
When she began performing in other countries, Masako Katsura used that title to identify herself as the First Lady of Billiards. She became known by that title for the rest of her life.
Masako Katsura Decides to Shift to the United States
As a result of World War II, Katsura stopped playing billiards. While the war was on, she performed one-woman performances for the Japanese armed forces. After the war ended, she started doing billiard skills for the American soldiers.
Masako Katsura’s ultimate success on a global stage may be attributed in large part to all those achievements. During World War II, an American soldier wrote to his father, a billiards player, about Masako Katsura. Cochran encouraged Katsura to go to the United States by saying, “That girl is greater than you!” He also encouraged Katsura to contact him, which led to her contacting him.
After winning the nationwide female’s pool competition, Masako Katsura began competing in the international male’s billiards championships.
After visiting the buildings of Tokyo, Katsura came across a whole new world. Unlike in Japan, where women worked or played in hundreds of billiard clubs, billiard clubs in America were exclusively for men.
“Since I arrived here, I’ve seen only one female player of billiards.” “Over here, a billiard club is seen as a place for men to meet. It would be nice if we could find a ladies-only club.”
She get a break for some Years to play billiard
She returned to competitive pool in 1958 and took part in 30 events. In the meantime, she published two books that educated Japanese readers about pool.
A billiards craze began in 1959, despite the above. When it was announced that Katsura would perform an international tournament at the Randolph Recreations Center in Chicago against Harold Worst. Up to 1,200 points were awarded during the contest, which lasted one week.
After the exhibition was transferred to Philadelphia, they participated in six rounds to 50 scores (3 cushions). After that, it was sent to New York City for exhibition. That did not occur without flapping the feelings of certain members of the news media.
What happened to Masako Katsura at death?
Masako Katsura was born on 7 March 1913 and passed away on 20 December 1995, at the age of 82, due to natural causes. She was seen as a warm-hearted lady and highly appreciated Japan’s classical arts and traditions. Through her abundant creativity, it is certain that her impact will remain commemorated long after she has left us more than two centuries ago. We hope that she has found peace in the afterlife.
Her Memories and legacy
According to the tournament’s old and renowned tradition, Katsura is one of the strongest billiards players.
She was also famous as the player of the Generation title. She was awarded that title by the United States Billiard Media Association in 2003. She was also inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 1966. In March 2021, Google featured her in its World Women’s Day Doodle.
In addition to Katsura’s contribution to the game of billiards, she will also be remembered as one of the club’s all-time greatest players for as long as the game continues.
Masako Katsura Cause of Death
Masako Katsura’s cause of death was natural aging. She was 82 years old. She had been ill for almost 5 years before she passed away on 20 December 1995.