Monday 7 January 2013

Tehonbiki

The game of tehonbiki is certanly a most curious one, and one with a very shady reputation in Japan. However, if we are to understand the game ,  we must first explain the perculiar apparatus used in playing it. Two decks of cards are used, the "harifuda" and the "mamefuda".

"Mamefuda" ( 札) , "大將軍" ,  48c. ( 6 x 8)  +  blank card
The whole series of Mamefuda, 1-6 ( L to R)

The deck of mamefuda consists of a series of 6 cards, numbered from 1-6 , repeated ( at least in the present example) eight times, to yeild a deck of 48 cards. As the cardstock is pretty thick, when the cards are stacked up, the stack is 7.5 centimeters high. However,  the whole deck of cards isnt used in the game, but only one series of such cards.
 The cards have several curious features. For one, the ce resembles a dragon. This is significant as the oldest japanese cards feature such an animal on the aces. Whilst in most other decks, this animal has been transformed into an unintelligable squiggle, here is remains more or less recogniable. Furthermore, the cards are much, much smaller than the usual Japanese cards. The cards are only 2.5 by 4.5cm. That makes them slightly smaller than a man's thumb. Otherwise, the cards more or less resemble the suit of coins in other japanese decks. For example, the 2s are framed, as well as the central pip of the 5.

The next deck of cards used are the "harifuda"

"Harifuda" (張札) , "大將軍" , 42c. ( 7 x 6)
one series of harifuda. 1 to 6 ( L-R)

This deck also follows the same structure as the mamefuda, comprising of a series of six subjects repeated several times. However, this time, the values of the cards are given by a series of stylized chinese numbers. If you compare the above cards with the chinese numbers from 1 to 6, as below, the connection is clear:

三 四 五 六

Another curious feature is the red lines that appear on some of the cards. The one has a red line, the 2 and 3 have two and three lines respectivley, the four has none, the five has a red semicircle on the top and bottom edges of the cards, and the six has similar deocration in each of it's corners. I guess that this decoaration functioned as a form of index for the cards
 Here is an old uncut sheet of harifuda. Notice that the odd numbers here are printed in red, and the even numbers black. Also note that the six has the maker's name written on a banner between it's "legs"
Another piece of apparatus used is the memoku, or 目木. Rather confusingly they are also refered to as the "Mefuda". These are blocks of wood with the numbers of the harifuda inscribed on them. They are placed in numerical order before the banker, and are used to indicate his preference

***************************
 My understanding of the rules cheifly comes from Andy Polett's marvellous website
(http://l-pollett.tripod.com/cards70.htm) , and the actions of the propreitor of the cardshop from which I bought the cards from.

 The game of tehonbiki is certanly a most curious game, and can be said to be little more than a game of dice transferred to cards. This fact becomse more obvious when you consider the structure of the deck ( 1 to 6, as per dice) , and the manner in which it is played.
 
 The dealer first takes one series of mamefuda, and shuffles the six cards. He does so hidden from view, either in his pocket or with his hands behind his back, the small size of the mamefuda helping him in the process. Once it has been shuffled, a card is withdrawn , and placed under a piece of cloth. He does not look at its value.
The players now attempt to guess the value of the card that the bank has chosen. The player use the harifuda to indicate which card they bet is the one under the cloth . They do so by arranging the harifuda in various ways, and by these arrangements, the bets are made. The system of betting is too complicated to be shown here in detail, but the pariculars may be found on Mr. Polett's website.
 The bank then makes his own preference, by placing one of the Memoku to the right of the row.
The cloth is then uncovered, and the bets paid out.
 I am also told that the game is indeed in very ill repute, but rather surprisingly, one may find examples of these decks ( or at least the Harifuda) more easily than mekuri decks, or indeed kabufuda. I belive that some of these decks may have been ordered in error, as the spelling of Harifuda and Hanafuda is so close.




Thursday 3 January 2013

Kabu cards- "Komaru" ( Nintendo)

Komaru (小丸)- Nintendo 40c. + onifuda + spare
We have another deck of kabu cards, this one known as the "Komaru" - small circle. This deck is identical on structure to the Mefuda previously mentioned, but the differig illustations are the point of interest here. Whilst the mefuda look like the the work of a child or a very sloppy colourer, this deck is less abstract, and the circles more... circular.
 Here the ace retains a more or less serpentine form, as as opposed to the simple black card with 2 lines of the mefuda. However, the court card here is less abstract than the mefua, bearing the vague appearence of a scowling soldier wearing a hat .The 2s are also encased in a frame, along with the central pip of the 5s.
 Again, one of the aces, threes and fours recive special decoration.
-Komaru-
Key:
1st row ( L-R) 6, 7, 8, 9, ( knave)
2nd row ( L-R)  (ace),2, 3,4, 5,
"Special cards" 4 of batons ( replaces one of the 4s), ace, and 3( L-R)

Kabu cards- "Mefuda" ( Nintendo)

Mefuda (目札 )-Nintendo, , 40c. + onifuda and blank
 We Now come to another species of japanese playing cards, known as the "Kabu"cards. These cards are basically single suited decks. That is, the deck comprises of one suit ( Usually coins or batons) repeated 4 times. There are usually 10 ranks in each suit, to give a deck of 40 cards.
 The particular deck shown here is known as the "mefuda", "( Eye-cards) , and gives a good introduction to this species of cards. The suit used here is the suit of coins, here corrupted to blobs of black paint., from 1 to 9. The tenth card is the Knave (or perhaps a cavalier in this case, as it has 4 legs), presenting the appearence of a few blobs of colour preched upon four legs  
 There are 3 identical series of these 9 cards. However, there is a fourth  series, in which some of the ranks are secorated with silver overprints. Usually the ace, trey (3) and the four of that suit recive that decoration. However, In decks like this one which use the suit of coins, the four in the special suit tends to be replaced, rather inexplicably, by a four of batons.
 Another curious ( and rather delightful) feature is the inscription on the duces (2s) treys (3s) and fours of each suit, along with the special ace. The inscription reads "用"- Use no gold or money"*, A rather splendid prohibition against gambling

-Mefuda-
1st row ( L-R)-- 6,7, 8,9,(knave) 
2nd row (L-R)-- (Ace), 2, 3, 4, 5
3rd row( L-R)--- Onifuda, Special ace, special 3,special 4

* Or, if you were to make a rhyme of it
"Gentle gamster, I pray that ye
use no gold or silver with me "