When thinking about Japanese card games, most people think about the highly popular trading card games that derived from Japan. Card games though, have been around for a much longer time so let’s take a look at traditional cards: Hanafuda (花札).

Hanafuda are playing cards of Japanese origin that are used to play a number of games. The name literally translates as “flower cards” The name also refers to games played with those cards.

There are twelve suits, representing months. Each is designated by a flower, and each suit has four cards. Typically, each suit will have two normal cards and two special cards. The point values could be considered unnecessary and arbitrary, as the most popular games only concern themselves with certain combinations of taken cards.

The main goal of the game is to accumulate more points than the opponent. Either a set number of rounds is played, a point goal is set to determine the winner, or players try to get so many more points than their opponent. Cards are shuffled and placed into a pile (called the stock). Eight cards are placed face up between the players, and then eight cards are dealt face-down to each player. If there are more than two players, then the hand size is decreased.

A game starts with the dealer and proceeds counterclockwise, just like in poker. The player takes a card that was dealt to them and matches suit with a card that is on the table. If there isn’t a matching card, the player discards a card to the center of the table. Then, the top stock card is turned face up, and if there is a matching suit on the playing field, the player takes the cards, otherwise the stock card is added to the playing field. Play ends when either the stock is exhausted or either player’s hand is empty.

If a player is dealt four pairs or two complete suits, that player automatically wins the round. Scoring for this instance varies, but can be the value of the cards in the playing field. At the end of the round, each player adds the value of all cards they have taken. In some variations, ‘winner takes all’, meaning the winner of the match gets all the points the opponent has accumulated in that round.

Card sets and scoring can vary by which variant of Hanafuda is being played.
Have you ever seen or played Hanafuda? You can pick up cards at the department store so maybe you should get familiar with traditional Japanese card games for the rainy days.