Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: game

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Go

囲碁棋道
alternative words: Igo, Kido, Kidou, Kidoo, Go play, Go game
keywords: game
related topics: Shogi
related web sites: http://www.nihonkiin.or.jp , http://www.pandanet.co.jp
explanation: Oriental game which consists of putting black and white stones one after another on a checkerboard in order to gain the maximum of territory. Though originated from China, Japan has surpassed her level during Edo period because of an apparition of professional players: they were paid by shogun for life and could consequently spend their whole time to study its strategy. The most famous school was Honinbo.

Hagoita

羽子板
alternative words: Hanetsuki paddle, Battledore paddle
keywords: art , craft , game , thing
related topics: New year , Hanetsuki
related web sites: http://www.tim.hi-ho.ne.jp/~m-ando/hagoita.htm , http://www4.big.or.jp/~kna/kna/hagoita1.html , http://www1.plala.or.jp/harasimahagoita/
explanation: Wooden paddle used for hanetsuki game. A simple paddle with picture drawn behind is used in a real game but there exists "hagoita" used as a new year gift for girls. The size is a little bigger and cloth made picture of kabuki actors or girls (now also with plastic) are attached in relief on the surface. Each December, all over Japan, hagoita markets (hogoita ichi) are open for the preparation of a new year. The market near Asakusa temple in Tokyo is notorious.

Hanafuda

花札
alternative words: Flower cards, Flower card, Hanafuda cards, Hanafuda card, Hanakaruta
keywords: game
related topics: Heian period
related web sites: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n09/
explanation: Card game originated from Hanaawase of Heian period and thereafter influenced by the Western card game of the 16th century. Cards have motifs of seasonal flowers and animals and each month corresponds to 4 cards so the total number is 48. The game consists of collecting the cards according to certain combinations to make maximum of points.

Hanetsuki

羽根突き羽根つき
alternative words: Hanetsuki game, Battledore, Japanese badminton
keywords: game
related topics: New year , Muromachi period , Edo period , Hagoita
related web sites: http://www.pref.hiroshima.jp/kyouiku/bunka/chuusei/21-2.htm
explanation: Game which consists to strike mutually a shuttlecock (hane) by 2 persons or 2 groups and those who miss it become a looser. It looks like a badminton but there is no net and racket is a wooden paddle (hagoita) while shuttlecock is made with soapberry seed and feathers. The game was already played by aristocrats during Muromachi period but has been generalized among population since the end of Edo period. Hanetsuki was greatly played during a new year festival until recently.

Hyakunin isshu

百人一首小倉百人一首
alternative words: Hyakuninisshu, Ogura hyakunin isshu
keywords: game , poesy
related topics: Waka , Manyoshu , Fujiwara no Sadaie
related web sites: http://www.fin.ne.jp/~rumi/karuta/ , http://www.macpro.co.jp/hyakunin/
explanation: Literally, "100 poets 1 poem" and correspond to a selection of the 100 most famous Japanese poets with 1 waka (31 syllable Japanese poem) each. There were many "hiyakunin isshu" but "Ogura hyakunin isshu" compiled in 13th century by a poet of Kamakura period, Fujiwara no Sadaie is the most representative. Since Edo period, man has played a card game which consists of guessing the lower part of waka by reading the upper part.

Japanese kite

凧
alternative words: Tako, kite
keywords: art , china , craft , game , thing
related topics: Heian period , Samurai , Edo period , Japanese paper , New year
related web sites: http://www.kikimimi.ne.jp/www/eohashi/ , http://www.nmt.ne.jp/~windlove/ , http://www.taimeiken.co.jp/takohaku/index_t.htm , http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/people/cokeian/ , http://www2.ginzado.ne.jp/shayo/yosidamati/tako/takokan.htm
explanation: Invented 3000 years ago, it arrived in Japan from China at the beginning of Heian period. During Kamakura period, the kites spread among samurai clans, not only because of their military interests but also they symbolized a bravery, but it is since Edo period that kites have become a popular entertainment for everybody. Contrary to western kites which give an importance to technical aspect, Japanese kites are appreciated by their beautiful pictures drawn on the surface.

Japanese top

独楽コマ
alternative words: Top, Tops
keywords: china , game , korea
related topics: Nara period , Edo period , New year
related web sites: http://members.aol.com/nagegoma/micyan1/indexb.html , http://www.fsinet.or.jp/~eohashi/
explanation: In Japanese, "top" is called "koma" because it arrived to Japan through Korea (koma is its old name) from China during Nara period. First, it had become popular among aristocrats with "unarigoma" (humming top) then spread among all the classes with quite different materials (wood, bamboo, metal etc.) during middle ages. During Edo period a top acrobat was popular. Combat of metallic tops ("begoma") is also well known. Top was greatly played during a new year festival until recently.

Origami

折紙折り紙
alternative words: Folded paper, Art of folding paper
keywords: art , game
related web sites: http://origami.gr.jp
explanation: Art or technique to fold papers to construct different objects or animals. Contrary to what people might imagine, origami as an entertainment art had not developed in the ancient times though there existed folded papers used in festivals or religious ceremonies, because the paper was a valuable object. Origami has really begun to develop since Meiji era when it was introduced to schools and kindergartens as an educational materials.

Shogi

将棋
alternative words: Shougi, Shoogi, Japanese chess
keywords: game
related topics: Go
related web sites: http://www.shogi.or.jp , http://www.nsn.co.jp , http://www.geocities.co.jp/Playtown-Spade/4639/
explanation: A variant of western chess game and arrived to Japan during Nara period from China. Initially there had existed many rules and different kinds of chessboards but it took the actual form in the 16th century. The most significant difference compared to western chess game is that the player can use again the pieces taken from the adversary.

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