Well, as I pointed out, it is not a matter of opinion. What is a better representation for playing a game is a verifyable fact, measurable by the average rating drop or raise people would get when having to play with one representation or another. E.g. representing all pieces by empty squares (aka blindfold chess) usually greatly degrades the rating of non-GM players, and can thus be considered an unsuitable representation for playing Chess.
And 'disagreeing with facts' is also known as 'being wrong'.
The pictograms are better at distinguishing the sides visually (e.g. the Mnemonic pieces for the large variants). However, Shogi uses Kanji pieces by tradition, and it has been this way even before the drop rule was added. Most Japanese players use this system, and even Western players (such as myself) have a tendency to use the kanji system as well. It doesn't take that long to learn and recognize the Kanji pieces.
The idea that Shogi and Chess would have different needs does seem rather inconsistent, as they are practically the same game. I have difficulty identifying any aspect of either game that would cause such a difference.
In theory they would be the same, but Shogi uses the drop rule, which by its nature necessitates a way to distinguish pieces that is not dependent on color.
The pictograms are better at distinguishing the sides visually (e.g. the Mnemonic pieces for the large variants). However, Shogi uses Kanji pieces by tradition, and it has been this way even before the drop rule was added. Most Japanese players use this system, and even Western players (such as myself) have a tendency to use the kanji system as well. It doesn't take that long to learn and recognize the Kanji pieces.
In theory they would be the same, but Shogi uses the drop rule, which by its nature necessitates a way to distinguish pieces that is not dependent on color.