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Fukuwarai is one of Japan’s traditional games enjoyed during New Year celebrations and festive occasions.
The simple rules where you arrange facial features while blindfolded and then laugh together at the unique expressions created are what make this game so appealing.
It’s a game that can be enjoyed by everyone from children to adults, guaranteed to liven up gatherings with family and friends.
This article introduces a wide range of information about Fukuwarai, from its history and basic rules to ideas for easily making your own version.
Table of Contents
What is Fukuwarai?
Fukuwarai is a traditional Japanese game where players arrange facial features while blindfolded and enjoy the resulting expressions. Despite its simple rules, the charm lies in being able to laugh at the unexpected results, making it popular across a wide range of generations from children to adults.
It has particularly become established as a New Year’s game and has been handed down through generations as a game that brings good fortune or “fuku.” Let’s take a closer look at the history of Fukuwarai, its relationship with the New Year, and its basic rules and how to play.
History and Origins of Fukuwarai
The exact origins of Fukuwarai are unclear, but it is believed to have been played since the late Edo period and became established as a New Year’s game during the Meiji era. The name is derived from the proverb “Good fortune comes to a smiling home,” with the meaning of bringing happiness by laughing together during the New Year.
In early Fukuwarai, auspicious faces like “Okame” and “Hyottoko” were commonly used. These faces were considered to bring good luck, which is why they were used for Fukuwarai. Over time, various designs emerged, and in modern times, Fukuwarai featuring different characters are also enjoyed.
Fukuwarai is not unique to Japan; similar games exist around the world. For example, in Western countries, there is a game called “Pin the tail on the donkey,” where blindfolded players try to pin a tail in the correct position on a donkey, showing that similar fun-filled cultural activities have taken root.
Fukuwarai as a Traditional Japanese New Year Game
Fukuwarai is one of the traditional games enjoyed when families and relatives gather during New Year celebrations. The following meanings and purposes are embedded in its background:
A Game That Brings Good Fortune
As the proverb goes, “Good fortune comes to a smiling home,” playing this game together and laughing brings brightness to the New Year and is meant to invite good fortune.
Enjoying Family Gatherings
Since it can be played across generations, it’s popular for New Year family gatherings and as a game for children.
Simple Game Everyone Can Enjoy
One of its attractions is that it’s easy for anyone from young children to the elderly to participate, even without knowing the rules.
In recent years, Fukuwarai has increasingly been incorporated not just for New Year celebrations, but also in kindergartens, schools, recreational activities, and events.
Basic Rules and How to Play Fukuwarai
Fukuwarai is a traditional game that anyone can enjoy with simple preparation. Once you understand the basic rules, you can add various arrangements to make it even more exciting.
Basic Rules of Fukuwarai
- Prepare a paper (base) with the outline of a face drawn on it, and separate pieces for features like eyes, nose, and mouth.
- While blindfolded, place the parts on the base by feeling with your hands.
- After placing all the parts, remove the blindfold and enjoy the resulting face.
Variations to Make the Game More Exciting
- Set a time limit
- Mix in unnecessary parts
- Play with themes like creating animal or character faces
- Make it a team competition
Though Fukuwarai is a simple game, with some creativity, there are many ways to enjoy it. Please consider incorporating it during New Year celebrations or events.
Types and Characteristics of Fukuwarai
Fukuwarai comes in various types, from traditional designs to unique versions developed in different regions, and modern styles with contemporary arrangements.
In the past, auspicious designs like “Okame” and “Hyottoko” were common, but recently, character-based and digital versions of Fukuwarai have also appeared. Let’s look at the characteristics of each in detail.
Traditional Fukuwarai Designs
Fukuwarai designs often feature auspicious faces, with “Okame” and “Hyottoko” being the most representative.
Okame (Otafuku)
Characterized by a round face with plump cheeks, Okame has long been considered an auspicious female face that brings good fortune. Therefore, she is also called “Otafuku” and is beloved as a bringer of happiness. Her gentle and kind expression has made her a staple design for Fukuwarai.
Hyottoko
Characterized by a humorous expression with a protruding mouth, Hyottoko is often used in sets with Okame. The name is said to have derived from “Hiotoko” (fire man), referring to someone who blows on hearth fires with a bamboo tube. There are also traditional performances where dancers wear Hyottoko masks, making it one of the characters deeply rooted in Japanese culture.
In addition, Fukuwarai featuring faces of the Seven Lucky Gods, such as “Ebisu-sama” and “Daikoku-sama,” are also popular as New Year’s good luck items.
Modern Arranged Fukuwarai (Character-based, Digital Versions, etc.)
While Fukuwarai has been cherished as a traditional game, new styles with modern arrangements have emerged in recent years, making it enjoyable for a wide range of people from children to adults. Here are some specific examples:
Character Fukuwarai
This is Fukuwarai based on popular anime or picture book characters. Children can play with familiar designs they enjoy. For example, Fukuwarai featuring characters like “Anpanman” or “Pikachu” have been created.
Handmade Original Fukuwarai
You can create original Fukuwarai using family or friends’ face photos. Using templates provided by companies like Microsoft, you can easily create Fukuwarai with face photos. The appeal is that you can simply print and cut them out to play right away.
Digital Fukuwarai
As you can see, Fukuwarai has evolved with the times and is enjoyed in various forms. From traditional styles to the latest digital versions, please enjoy each with its unique characteristics.
Fukuwarai Traditional Crafts
A hand towel featuring Fukuwarai made with traditional [chusen] dyeing techniques.
The New Year’s game staple, Okame and Hyottoko Fukuwarai. You can cut out the attached paper to play.
How to Make Fukuwarai
Fukuwarai can be even more fun to play when you make it yourself rather than just using commercially available ones. Adding your own free designs and creative touches allows you to enjoy a more unique Fukuwarai experience.
Recently, digital Fukuwarai using apps and computers have also appeared, increasing the ways to play easily without using paper. Here, we’ll introduce how to make handmade Fukuwarai and ideas for original designs.
Easy to Make Handmade Fukuwarai
Handmade Fukuwarai can be easily created with everyday materials and is perfect for recreation at home or school. Below, we’ll explain in detail the necessary materials and steps for making it.
What You’ll Need
- Construction paper or cardstock
- Colored paper, crayons, or markers
- Scissors
- Glue
- Laminating sheets or clear file folders
How to Make It
- Draw a simple round or oval face outline on the construction paper that will serve as the base.
- Draw facial features like eyes, nose, mouth, and eyebrows on separate construction paper.
- Carefully cut out the drawn parts with scissors.
- Reinforce the parts with cardstock or laminate them to increase durability for longer play.
Following these steps will complete your original Fukuwarai.
How to Play
- The player is blindfolded with a handkerchief or similar item.
- They feel around to place the parts on the face outline.
- After placing all the parts, they remove the blindfold and enjoy the completed face.
As you can see, handmade Fukuwarai is easy to create and can be enjoyed with many people.
Making Fukuwarai More Fun with Original Designs
The real joy of handmade Fukuwarai is being able to enjoy creating free designs. Here are some ideas for making unique and original Fukuwarai.
Model After Family or Friends’ Faces
Drawing caricatures to make Fukuwarai makes the game more personal and fun. Try making faces of grandpa and grandma, or prepare faces of all family members to play.
Animal or Character-themed Fukuwarai
Using themes like cats, dogs, or pandas makes it more approachable for children. Also, designing it after popular characters makes the game more enjoyable.
Create Funny Face Versions
Deliberately making the eye or mouth parts extremely large or small results in a humorous and interesting Fukuwarai. The charm is in everyone laughing at the completed face.
Increase the Variety of Parts
Preparing several types of eyes and mouths to create different expressions expands the range of play. For example, having various emotional expressions like smiling mouths, angry mouths, and surprised eyes makes it more enjoyable.
Use Magnetic Sheets
Unlike paper Fukuwarai, making it with magnetic sheets allows you to play by attaching it to refrigerators or whiteboards. Another benefit is that it can be enjoyed for a long time as it can be used repeatedly.
By adding these handmade arrangements, you can create more enjoyable Fukuwarai. Make your own original Fukuwarai with family and friends!
Educational Effects and Value of Fukuwarai
Fukuwarai is not just a game but has various educational values that benefit children’s development. This simple game of placing facial features while blindfolded contains elements that nurture creativity and manual dexterity, making it useful for early childhood education and intellectual development.
It’s also effective as a unique learning experience using vision and touch, with the characteristic of training the senses while having fun. Let’s look in detail at the educational effects of Fukuwarai.
Effects on Developing Children’s Creativity and Imagination
Fukuwarai is a game where facial features can be placed freely, and it has the effect of nurturing children’s creativity and imagination. The natural stimulation of creative thinking occurs when completed faces turn out unexpectedly or when new expressions are created.
Developing Free Thinking
Just by changing the positions of eyes and mouth, various expressions can be created. Thinking, “What would happen if I put the eyes below and the mouth above?” and experimenting while playing expands the range of ideas.
Enjoying the Fun of Coincidence
One of the joys of Fukuwarai is when unexpectedly humorous faces are completed. Unintended combinations lead to new ideas like, “Maybe this kind of face works too?”
Developing Flexible Thinking with “This Face Works Too!”
Since there is no correct answer in Fukuwarai, any face that is created is OK. This helps develop “the ability to think freely” and “flexible thinking” without being bound by fixed ideas.
Also, when making handmade Fukuwarai, thinking about face designs or using animals or characters as motifs can further enhance creativity.
Developmental Effects from Using Fine Motor Skills
Fukuwarai is a game that involves using the hands to pick up and arrange parts, which helps promote the development of young children’s fingers. In particular, using the fingertips is closely related to brain development, and repeating fine movements helps develop dexterity.
Training Fingertip Muscles by Picking Up Parts
In Fukuwarai, the action of picking up and placing facial features is repeated. This action is effective in training fingertip muscles. Fukuwarai is effective as a play that cultivates fingertip sensitivity.
Improving Spatial Recognition Ability by Considering Shape and Direction While Placing
Fukuwarai, where facial features are placed while blindfolded, can be expected to improve spatial comprehension and memory.
Repeating Play Leads to Acquiring Smooth Movements
Fukuwarai consists of movements such as remembering placement, grasping the orientation of parts, and placing them in the correct location. This game can train senses such as vision, touch, and proprioception.
It’s particularly effective as hand and finger training during early childhood and can be used as one of the games that enhance manual dexterity, just like origami and block play.
Unique Learning Using Vision and Touch
Fukuwarai includes elements that utilize not only vision but also touch by playing blindfolded. For children who tend to rely on vision, the experience of using touch to grasp the position and shape of objects leads to sensory development.
Sharpening Hand Sensitivity by Playing with Eyes Closed
When visual information is blocked, finger sensitivity becomes more acute, and the ability to process information through touch increases.
Developing the Ability to Judge Part Shapes and Sizes by Touch
By handling parts while blindfolded, the ability to recognize shape and size relying solely on touch is cultivated.
Promoting Balanced Development as a Play That Uses the Five Senses
By coordinating vision and touch, it integrates with other senses, promoting overall sensory development. Even when playing without a blindfold, observational skills and spatial recognition abilities can be trained by considering facial balance while placing parts.
In this way, Fukuwarai is excellent as an educational play, comprehensively developing creativity, finger development, and sensory learning. As it allows learning while having fun, please incorporate it as a tool to support children’s growth.
Summary
Fukuwarai is a traditional Japanese game that, despite its simplicity, can be enjoyed across generations. Though it has been cherished as a New Year’s staple, in modern times it is widely used in daycare centers and schools for recreation, as brain training for the elderly, and as an activity for events and festivals.
With the emergence of handmade and digital versions, it has become possible to enjoy it with even more creative freedom. It also excels in educational effects for children and in promoting communication, with the charm of learning while playing.
Fukuwarai, while being a traditional game, continues to evolve in various forms in modern times. Please enjoy Fukuwarai with family and friends and share many smiles together.
