Introduction to Hanafuda Koikoi
import Icon from ‘../../components/Icon.astro’;
Hanafuda is a popular card game originating from Japan that features a set of 48 cards adorned with beautiful drawings of plants and seasons, hence the name “Hanafuda” — 花札, which means flower cards in Japanese. The game is known as Hanafuda Koikoi, and its objective is to collect various combinations of cards called Yaku to accumulate more points than your opponent. Each set of cards comprises 12 different plants and seasons, with four cards for each. Along with the plant/season groupings, the Yaku combinations offer players an opportunity to gain more points within the game. The goal of the game is to collect more points than your opponent.
Cards
January
Pine - Matsu 松
February
Plum - Ume 梅
March
Cherry blossom - Sakura 桜
April
Wisteria - Fuji 藤
May
Iris - Shobu 菖蒲
June
Peony - Botan 牡丹
July
Clover - Hagi 萩
August
Susuki - Susuki 芒
September
Chrysanthemum - Kiku 菊
October
Maple - Momiji 紅葉
November
Willow - Yanagi 柳
December
Paulownia - Kiri 桐
Gameplay
Hanafuda is a two-player game that starts with the selection of the Oya, the player who takes the first turn. Each player chooses one card, and the person who selects the card from the earlier month out of the two becomes the Oya.
After the Oya has been chosen, the game proceeds to the next phase. The cards are reshuffled, and eight cards are placed on the table. Each player receives a deck of eight cards.
The players take turns, beginning with the Oya, and each turn consists of two phases. In the first phase, the player attempts to match a card from their deck with any card present on the table. Matching is done by the month or plant on the card. If a match is made, the player takes both cards and keeps them separate from the deck of cards. If a match is not possible, the player has to select any card from their deck and place it on the table.
After the first phase is complete, the player selects a single card from the unused pile and tries to match it with any card left on the table. If a match is made, the player takes both cards. If there is no match possible, the player has to leave the card on the table.
Once both phases of the turn are complete, the turn comes to an end, and the next player takes their turn.
During the game, players have the opportunity to form a special group of cards called Yaku, which carries a certain number of points. Once a player has collected any single Yaku, they can decide whether to end the game and receive the points for the Yaku, or continue playing by calling “Koikoi” in the hope of collecting more Yaku and points.
The challenge arises once a player calls Koikoi, as the opponent can attempt to collect any Yaku as well. If the opponent succeeds in collecting a Yaku after a Koikoi has been called, they can choose to end the game or call Yaku, which would nullify the Yaku points of the player who called Koikoi. Only the opponent would receive their points for the Yaku in this case.
If a player successfully collects multiple Yaku, the points are added up, with one exception — the “lights” Yaku (Shikou, Gokou, Ameshikou, etc.). With these Yaku, it’s only possible to upgrade to a higher-valued one.
Certain Yaku carry incremental points. For instance, the Kasu Yaku is worth one point for every ten cards. However, if a player manages to collect more cards, each additional card is valued at one point. For example, if a player has 12 Kasu cards, they will be awarded three points.
Yaku
Gokou 五光
Points: 10点
Shikou 四光
Points: 8点
Ameshikou 雨四光
Points: 7点
Sankou 三光
Points: 5点
Any 3 of
Inoshikachou 猪鹿蝶
Points: 5点＋α
Tsukimizake 月見酒
Points: 5点
Hanamizake 花見酒
Points: 5点
Tane 種・タネ
Points: 1点＋α
Any 5 of
Akatan-Aotan 赤短・青短
Points: 10点＋α
Akatan 赤短
Points: 5点＋α
Aotan 青短
Points: 5点＋α
Tan 短
Points: 1点＋α
Any 5 of
Kasu カス
Points: 1点＋α