Oshikura Manju
Encyclopedia
is a very simple Japan
ese game
that is played on cold days in order to get warm.
The game is played with at least three players, but it is better if there are more. The players first gather around in a circle, as close to each other as possible. They face the outside, standing back to back with each other. When the game starts, the players powerfully shove backwards, pressing their backs towards other players' backs as they chant
"Oshikura Manju osarete nakuna", meaning "Oshikura Manju doesn't cry even when shoved". The chant is the most famous part of the song, and many people are familiar with only this part. However, the proper song continues; "Nakuko wa dare yowamushi kemushi hasannde sutero" (Who is crying? Pinch the coward and caterpillar, and throw them away). The players continue shoving each other, repeating this song over and over. There is no accurate end to this game.
One variation to the game is to play in a circle drawn on the ground. The game goes on with whoever pushed out of that circle getting out of the group, ending when one player left in the circle.
The word "Oshikura" in the name of this game is thought to have the meaning of "oshikurabe" (shoving competition), but originally, it was not a competitive
game, but an easygoing one where players become absorbed in shoving each other vigorously, which results in them being warmed up.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese game
Game
A game is structured playing, usually undertaken for enjoyment and sometimes used as an educational tool. Games are distinct from work, which is usually carried out for remuneration, and from art, which is more often an expression of aesthetic or ideological elements...
that is played on cold days in order to get warm.
The game is played with at least three players, but it is better if there are more. The players first gather around in a circle, as close to each other as possible. They face the outside, standing back to back with each other. When the game starts, the players powerfully shove backwards, pressing their backs towards other players' backs as they chant
Chant
Chant is the rhythmic speaking or singing of words or sounds, often primarily on one or two pitches called reciting tones. Chants may range from a simple melody involving a limited set of notes to highly complex musical structures Chant (from French chanter) is the rhythmic speaking or singing...
"Oshikura Manju osarete nakuna", meaning "Oshikura Manju doesn't cry even when shoved". The chant is the most famous part of the song, and many people are familiar with only this part. However, the proper song continues; "Nakuko wa dare yowamushi kemushi hasannde sutero" (Who is crying? Pinch the coward and caterpillar, and throw them away). The players continue shoving each other, repeating this song over and over. There is no accurate end to this game.
One variation to the game is to play in a circle drawn on the ground. The game goes on with whoever pushed out of that circle getting out of the group, ending when one player left in the circle.
The word "Oshikura" in the name of this game is thought to have the meaning of "oshikurabe" (shoving competition), but originally, it was not a competitive
Competition
Competition is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever two and only two strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For...
game, but an easygoing one where players become absorbed in shoving each other vigorously, which results in them being warmed up.
External links
- A memory about playing Oshikura Manju (Japanese)