Japanese Rock Paper Scissors
In Japan, “rock paper scissors” is referred to as “じゃんけん”(Janken).
Although it is called different names in different places, the rules of the game are the generally same in every country.
In Japan – Rock, Paper, Scissors – or Janken is used to settle disagreements, select participants, and determine the order in which people will do something. It is an important part of making friends with Japanese people – so you should really learn the nuances of how the Japanese play.
In this handy illustrated guide, you will be learning how to play Janken with illustrations.
Rules of Janken (Japanese Rock, Paper, Scissors)
The basics of Janken
Just like how you play “rock scissors paper” .When playing Janken, “グー” (Guu) beats “チョキ”(Choki), “チョキ” beats “パー” (Paa)and “パー” beats “グー”. “グー”, “チョキ” and “パー” refer to rock, scissors paper respectively. When it is a draw, it is called a あいこ(aiko).
An illustration guide
Step ①: 最初はグー
The way to to start the game. At the start of the game, players will say” 最初はグー”(Saishowaguu) and show their fists at the same time. The literal meaning of 最初はグー is “Fists first”. This is to make sure that all players show their gestures at the same time so as to prevent any unfair play.
“最初はグー” was invented by the famous comedian, Ken Shimura, in the variety show “8時だョ!全員集合” (Hachijidayo! Zeninshuugou). It then spread across Japan and finally became a common practice.
Step ②: じゃんけんぽん
“じゃんけんぽん” (Jankenpon) is a phrase to be chant by the players together right after “最初はグー “. It acts as a signal for the players to display their gestures. Players are to show their hands at the moment when they say “ぽん”(pon).
Step ③: あいこでしょ
A draw in Japanese is called an あいこ(aiko). If there are only 2 players, it will be a draw when both players display the same gesture. If there are 3 or more players, it will be a draw when all 3 gestures are displayed. When this happens, the players then chant “あいこでしょ”(aikodesho) and display their hands again on “しょ”(sho). This continues until someone wins the game.
Let’s take a look at how the boy Kaito and the girl Yui played Janken!
Janken is engaging and fun to play. It is also a fair way to solve problems when friends disagree.
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FAQ
Janken is the Japanese version of rock-paper-scissors, a hand game where players simultaneously form one of three shapes with their hand: rock (グー, “gū”), paper (パー, “pā”), or scissors (チョキ, “choki”). The outcome is determined by the rules: rock beats scissors, scissors beat paper, and paper beats rock.
Beyond being a children’s game, janken is deeply ingrained in Japanese society as a decision-making tool. It’s commonly employed to settle disputes, choose participants, or determine the order of actions in a fair and impartial manner.
Participants usually chant “最初はグー” (“Saisho wa gū,” meaning “Starting with rock”), followed by “じゃんけんぽん” (“janken pon”), upon which they reveal their chosen hand shape. If there’s a tie, players continue by saying “あいこでしょ” (“aiko desho,” meaning “it’s a tie, isn’t it?”) and throw their shapes again until a winner emerges.
Yes, there are several variations. One notable example is “あっち向いてホイ” (“Acchi Muite Hoi”), where the winner of janken attempts to make the loser look in a specific direction by pointing, while the loser tries to look in a different direction to avoid losing the round.
Janken is believed to have originated from China and was introduced to Japan in the 17th century. It evolved from earlier hand games and became the version known today during the late 19th century.
While primarily a casual decision-making tool, janken can occasionally be used in formal or professional contexts in Japan to make impartial decisions quickly. However, its appropriateness depends on the situation and the individuals involved.