Izayoi
Izayoi Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
(Category of Arts) — each category has its own set of cards, shown by the category's icon:
- Kado (Japanese Flower Arrangement)
- Sado (Japanese Tea Ceremony)
- Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy)
- Kyudo (Japanese Archery)
- Shamisen (Japanese Guitar)
Per category:
- Player Cards x1 each (x5 total). Each card bears the same design on the front and on the back.
- Master Cards x1 each (x5 total). Back design shown on the card.
- Recommendation Cards x4 (first row), x3 (second row), x2 (third row) per category, 9 per category, 45 in total, plus 2 Stop Cards (45+2).
Other components:
- Wakomono Tiles x16:
- 5pts Tile x3
- 4pts Tile x5
- 3pts Tile x5
- 2pts Tile x3
- Special Cards x10:
- Shuffle Cards x5 (Front and Back)
- Hiding Cards x5 (Front and Back)
- Playboard 1 pair (x2)
- Playing Manual x1
Setup
(e.g. for 5 players)
The setup diagram labels the Wakomono Deck, Discarded Wakomono Tiles, Recommendation Card Deck, Discarded Recommendation Cards, and the Recommendation Field.
- Set playboards vertically on the table.
- Each player chooses one category of arts, then places the chosen category's Player Cards in front of him/her. Remove unselected Player Cards from the game.
- Also remove all Master Cards and Recommendation Cards of removed categories, which will not be used in games with 3-4 players.
- Shuffle and distribute one Master Card face-down to each player. Players confirm their own Master Card and put their Master Card on the table face-down. (Players can reconfirm their Master Card anytime they want.)
- Shuffle Wakomono Tiles and build a Wakomono Deck. Remove three tiles from the deck without seeing what they are (i.e. use only 13 tiles out of 16 for the game). Then, take four tiles from the deck, and place them on the playboard face-up.
- Shuffle and distribute Recommendation Cards face-down to each player. The number of cards in your hand is equal to the number of players (i.e. 3 cards: 3-player game, 4 cards: 4-player game, and 5 cards: 5-player game). Remaining cards form the Recommendation Card Deck.
- Each player puts 1 pair of Special Cards (Shuffle Card and Hiding Card) in front of him/her face-up. Remove unused Special Cards from the game.
- The player who bought a wakomono most recently starts the game.
Purpose of the Game
Each player collects Wakomono Tiles and competes on total points earned (sum of the numbers on the Wakomono Tiles). The player with the highest points excluding the "Insolents" who loses their master's face will be the winner of the game.
- Players who earned as much or more points than their masters are considered an "insolent".
- If a player draws the Master Card for him/herself, they do not need to fear offending anyone (i.e. such player will never be the insolent one).
If several players share the same highest score, the player who earned the most Wakomono Tiles shall win. If the numbers of Wakomono Tiles are also the same, both players shall win the game.
(Example)
1. Judgement of the insolents. The key shows Apprentice → Master. In the example figure, Player 1 (10pts) is an apprentice whose master is Player 2 (6pts). Player 1 earned more points than their master, so Player 1 is an "insolent one" and is excluded.
2. Comparison of points. Of the remaining players, Player 3 (8pts) has the most points, above Player 4 (7pts), and is the winner. The figure also shows a circular arrow on Player 4, which is not explained in the printed text.
Tips!
- Place your Recommendation Cards so that your master always earns more points than you!
- Earn as many points as possible, while keeping an eye on your master's points.
- Woops! Did your hidden master get exposed? Do not give up! There might be another strategy!
Game Flow
Playing clockwise from the starting player, put one Recommendation Card from your hand next to the Wakomono Tile you would like to recommend. Then, draw one Recommendation Card from the deck. (Shuffle the discarded Recommendation Cards and rebuild a deck if the deck is gone.)
If either of the following conditions is met, the judging of who will acquire the Wakomono Tile will take place.
- When the number of Recommendation Cards placed next to a Wakomono Tile becomes the same number as the point of Wakomono Tile.
- When the Stop Card (to be explained) is placed.
(The figure notes that the capacity of a Recommendation Card row is 5 at maximum.)
The one who acquires the Wakomono Tile is determined following the principle below:
The player who acquires the most votes excluding the ones who have the same number of votes as others.
- (e.g.1) If only 1 player acquires the most votes: that player acquires the Wakomono Tile.
- (e.g.2) If several players have the same number of votes as others: those tied players are excluded, and the player with the most votes among the rest acquires the Wakomono Tile.
- (e.g.3) If all players acquire the same number of votes as others: no one acquires the Wakomono Tile, and the Wakomono Tile is discarded.
Place the Wakomono Tile face-up in front of the player once they acquire the Wakomono Tile. Recommendation Cards attached to that Wakomono Tile will be discarded face-up. Then, if Wakomono deck is not gone, place a new Wakomono Tile on the playboard.
Then, the player's turn ends and the next player on their left starts.
When the Wakomono Tiles on the playboard are all gone (taken or discarded), calculate points following "4. Purpose of the Game" and judge the winner!
Stop Card
The Stop Card triggers the judgment of the Wakomono Tile acquiror at the moment the card is placed, regardless of the number of Recommendation Cards placed on the Wakomono Tile.
- (e.g.1) Judge the Wakomono Tile acquiror even if only three Recommendation Cards are placed out of a capacity of five (which is equal to the point on the Wakomono Tile). In this case, master of Kyudo (Orange) will acquire the Wakomono Tile.
- (e.g.2) If a Stop Card is placed first, the Wakomono Tile is discarded since no one acquires any votes.
Special Cards
Each player is able to use a Special Card on their turn. As each special ability can be used once in the game, flip the card over to indicate you have used it.
Shuffle Card
Playing a Shuffle Card allows you to discard all Recommendation Cards in your hand and take back the same number of Recommendation Cards from the deck. Other players are only allowed to see the discarded card placed on top of the pile. Your turn ends there. (You cannot place a Recommendation Card in the same turn.)
Hiding Card
Playing a Hiding Card allows you to place a Recommendation Card face-down. However, you cannot do the following:
- Place another Recommendation Card face-down on a Wakomono Tile which already has one.
- Place a Stop Card face-down.
The face-down Recommendation Card will be revealed when the Wakomono Tile acquiror is judged.
Caution
- Be careful for children not to swallow small components of the game.
- Do not leave the game in a hot/humid place. There is a risk of deformation/deterioration.
- Keep it away from heat sources. It may cause fire or deformation.
Appendix: Wakomono Introduction
- Folded Crane Earring: An earring with a folded crane motif. Even though it has the shape of a paper crane, it is not made of paper.
- Kanzashi (stick-type): A simple-designed hair ornament with a bead made of wood usually coated by Japanese lacquer, worn with traditional Japanese hairstyles.
- Netsuke: A strap with an ornament attached. Men's Netsuke may be used to carry some goods. People hang them to their Kimono obi.
- Scrunchie: A ring-shaped hair accessory with soft fabric. Used for loosely tying hairs.
- Scent Bag: A small fabric-made bag with fragrance inside. Put it inside your wallet and you will enjoy the fragrance every time you open it.
- Purse with a Clasp: A purse with a clasp made of metal. It looks like the mouth of a frog when open.
- Kanzashi (plectrum-type): A hair accessory with a shape like a plectrum (a pick used to play Shamisen-Japanese guitar). Also known as Ginko Kanzashi due to its shape.
- Round Fan: A round tool used for generating wind. Often used as a symbol of Japanese summer when put in the Yukata's obi.
- Chopsticks: A multi-purpose cutlery for any type of meal including tofu and fish, though it is merely two sticks. Transport pouch included.
- Folding Fan: A foldable fan made of a wooden frame fixed at a point. In addition to generating wind, it is used for classical Japanese dance due to its elegance.