*What is Shell Matching Game ‘Kaiawase’?
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Shell Matching is one of Japanese traditional game started 1,200 years ago
in the palace of nobles in Heian era.
It consists of 360 pairs of big clam shells and separate them into two sides (top and bottom). The inside of these
top and bottom sides are drawn the same pictures. The separated pair, one
side is set (inside down) on a red carpet and another stays in a wooden
circular lacquer painted tub.
The host, one person initially appointed, start to pick up a shell from
this circular tub asking a player, in turn to select the same shell out
of 360 shells on the red carpet.
A player carefully selects the matching shell by distinguishing the size
and pattern of the shell. When a player select a correct shell, the inside
drawing of the shell should match. In addition, top and bottom part of
shell joint should match and make a correct fitting sound. (Player has
to demonstrate)
No matter the player makes right or wrong selection, a turn moves onto
others and repeat until the end.
A player who gets more pairs, becomes the winner.
