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How to Play Japanese Flat Marbles

Japanese flat marbles, or ohajiki, are used to play a popular game of the same name. In Japan, ohajiki is typically played on Girl's Day or other holidays where lots of young girls have gathered. Flat marbles are used in a similar fashion to the round ones found in Western play, though the rules are very different. There is no "shooter" marble and the flat marbles are collected as they are hit. Ohajiki can add a great element to birthday parties or Japanese culture celebrations.

Things You'll Need

At least three flat marbles of a single color per player
Flat playing surface

Instructions

- 1
  Combine all of the marbles in one person's cupped hands. There should be equal amounts of a single color for each player.
- 2
  Mix the ohajiki thoroughly by tossing them in the cupped hands. Strive for as much randomization as possible.
- 3
  Scatter the combined marbles across the flat playing surface.
- 4
  Determine which player goes first. Typically, this is done in order of age or by playing a quick game of "rock, paper, scissors."
- 5
  The first player calls out the marble she wishes to hit. This player may shoot any of her marbles at any other marble, including her own.
- 6
  The first player then flicks any marble of her own color toward the target marble using her thumb. If her marble hits another marble, the player collects both marbles. Use of the thumb to flick the marbles gives the game its name, which comes from the Japanese word "hajiku."
- 7
  Continue play until the first player misses her target. Play then progresses to the next player and the process repeats.
- 8
  Win the game by collecting the most marbles once all have been hit as a target. If players are left with only their marbles on the table, they may collect all of the marbles and count them towards their total.

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