Janken: The Simple Game Settling Scores Across Japan

Anywhere in the world, you’re likely to find that there is one simple solution to any (well, maybe not any) dispute: rock, paper, scissors. Here in the US, it’s a tried and true method for deciding who gets the last slice of pizza or the next round in a video game and often serves as the deciding factor in a tie-breaker situation.

Much the same, in Japan, rock, paper, scissors, or janken as it’s called, is no joke. And it hasn’t been for longer than anyone in the West even knew the game existed. Arriving in Japan sometime in the 1700s via China (where it is thought to have been created some 1700 years ago) it instantly became a hit and remains popular to this day. You’ll commonly find kids and adults alike settling scores by throwing down in a game of janken, be it at the playground or on a nationally broadcasted variety show.

How to play Janken

The rules are pretty much the same as you would expect from any rock, paper, scissors game. Rock beats scissors, scissors beat paper, and paper beats rock.

As one might expect, different words and terms are used to play the game. In janken, rock is “guu”, paper is “paa”, and scissors are “choki.” And instead of shouting, “Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!” you say, “Saisho wa guu! (Starting with rock.) Janken pon!” You then throw out whichever move you decide to pick. Each beat of the phrase is marked by a pump of your fist, much like in the Western version of the game.

In the case of a tie, both players shout, “Aiko desho!” or, “It seems like a tie!” and toss out their next move, repeating the process until one player emerges victorious.

There are tons of variations on the game, including punishments for the losers like a bop on the head with a tube or a slap on the hand. Janken has also been used as a marketing tool by restaurants and stores that challenge guests to beat employees for a prize. Over the years, janken has been used to solve all sorts of disputes and decisions; even a multimillion-dollar art deal by a Japanese businessman!

If you want to increase your success rate (and win every game of janken you enter) you might have a thing or two to learn from a robot built by a Japanese university. Programmed to use its camera to react at the last possible second to its opponent’s move, it has a stunning 100% success rate.

Whatever your win rate might be, be sure to have your rock, paper, and scissors ready on your next trip to Japan. You never know what it might win (or lose) for you!

About the author:

Kevin Kilcoyne

The spark that lit Kevin Kilcoyne’s interest in Japanese culture began in elementary school through a friendship with his then classmate Keisuke. Since then, that passion has evolved and bloomed to encompass more than just video games and manga, leading Kevin to live in Japan as a participant of the JET program. During his time in Japan, Kevin sought out as many foods as he could, the experiences and taste memories lingering long after they had gone. Now he is forging a path to link his passions for Japanese food, history, and visual culture and is planning for his return to live in Japan once again. For now, you can find Kevin on Instagram (@waruishouten) where he posts his photography and illustration work. Keep an eye out for more posts and updates as Kevin delves more deeply into his passions for writing and food.