Name Brothers in Two Different Worlds

Daichi Nakamura and Taichi Nakamura - these two names are close enough if spelled in English, the only difference being the fist letters their first names, but spelled exactly the same in Japanese - that is in Kanji. They are name brothers the likes of which one can often find. But then, most name brothers do not live next to each other, not do they share anything in common.

Now, here is an amusing case of name-brothership that few would find anywhere.  

First, Daichi:

Daichi Nakamura, 25, is a young violinist who was placed third place in the 22nd International Johannes Brahms Competition Pörtschach, Austria, September 12. Daichi Nakamura, Matouš Pěruška of Czech Republic and Cosima Soulez Lariviere of the Netherlands/France reached the final. Nakamura played Brahms' Concerto.

Daichi Nakamura began studying the violin at age 3. He has won a prize in the International Tchaikovsky Competition and was placed third in the Aram Ilyich Khachaturian International Competition, Armenia.

So, Daichi Nakamura is, though young, an established violinist of international repute.

Now, Taichi:

Taichi Namakura, 27, is a professional Shogi player currently ranked 6th Dan. Shoji is a form of chess highly localized in Japan. 6th Dan is equivalent to Master in chess and Taichi Nakamura is probably outplaying his rank as he has challenged grandmasters several times though without success.

Taichi began playing Shogi in his kindergarten days and at around age 11 decided to turn a professional. In 2013, he challenged Grandmaster Yoshiharu Habu, the undisputed master of the game who dominates most of the titles, for the third time. He had lost twice before to Habu. He managed the first 3 games 2-1 and was ready to grab the title with another win, but Habu won the last two to keep the title.

So, Taichi is just as brilliant but in a different world of his own.

Now, here's is the amusing part of this episode. These two young men only came to know each other by name as friends on either side told them they shared the same name spelled the same way in Japanese kanji. Then, in 2013 or thereabouts they went out their way to meet and get acquainted and ever since they will periodically dine together and exchange info. A cool encounter, indeed.