In family or between friends, Japan Expo proposes still more fun initiations to traditional games such as Go, Shôgi, Othello and Mah-Jong.

Go

  

© All rights reserved Let's start with Go, présented by the Go French Federation. This game, imported in 735 from China, has been played in Japan for 1200 years and recently got to the Western world. You can learn its simple rules within a few minutes and beginers can quickly play interesting parties.

The purpose of the game is just as easy: build the widest territory. Go is played on a squared board called Goban with counters called stones.  Each one at ihis/her turn, the players play a stone on the Goban trying not to get surrounded by the opponent stones and to capture as much as possible.

There are currently about 11 millions players in Japon… Why not you?

Go French Federation's official website

 

Mah-Jong

 

The Mah-Jong French Federation, which aims at promoting the game in France, will share their knowledge of the international rules called "Chinese Official" which were published by the Chinese Sport Committe in 1998 and of the Japanese rules called Riichi.

Firstly you will learn about the Chinese character ornamented tiles, the principles of the game and the multiple winning combinations. Then you will be able to practice a bit in little tournaments.

Mah-Jong French Federation's official website

 

Othello

 

© All rights reserved Now let's talk about a game whose origins are completely Japanese, Othello. Like every member of the Othello French Federation can tell you, this game has been invented in 1971 in Japan by Goro HASEGAWA.

His father was an English teacher and suggested the name Othello, making a parallel with the many twists and turns of Shakespeare's play. This game is close to Reversi, except for two differences: only one starting position is allowed and you can borrow counters from the opponent if he has to pass.

As soon as 1973, the game is a commercial success in Japan and the first national championship is organized. In 1976, Othello invaded the US and the UK. 

Othello French Federation's official website

 

Shôgi

 

The Shôgi French Federation will present Shôgi  (literaly "generals' chess game") which is often called "Japanese chess".

Like any Japanese traditional art, it has habits of use. It was practiced by Shôgun and Samurai in the medieval era as a martial artforming the mind. It travelled the centuries to become one of the most popular games in Japan.

It is played on a chess board, called Shôgiban and has 81 squares. At the beginning of the party, each player has 20 flat counters, slightly sharp and light-colored. The aim is to take the opponent's king.

Le Shôgi vous promet de longues parties passionnantes et pleines de rebondissements !

Shôgi French Federation's official website

 

Get ready for an unforgettable game experience!