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For Today’s Japan Photo series, we shall continue explore Japan’s traditional games. I think this is a game that is popular over many cultures, but in Japan it is called Otedama 御手玉, which is a game involving the tossing of bean bags. In Singapore, we also have a similar game called five stones.

The photo was taken by flickr user avlor. Here’s a description taken off Wikipedia:

Otedama (御手玉) is a traditional Japanese children’s game. Small bean bags are tossed and juggled in a game similar to jacks. Although it is generally a social game, Otedama can also be played alone. It is rarely competitive and often accompanied by singing. Otedama is dying out today and the many songs that accompanied them have been all but forgotten.

Otedama was traditionally popular among girls and knowledge of the game was passed down from grandmother to granddaughter. Specific game play varies widely from region to region. Most play with five bean bags although some variations have been seen. Players take turns throwing and catching the bean bags. Each successive round increases in difficulty with balancing tricks and even juggling.