Otedama is an old Japanese game of skill, played especially by women. It reached its maximum popularity during the WWII, when many people were living without homes or in poverty. The game is played with several small bags made of scraps of cloth (called ojami) filled with azuki beans, a very easy to make toy.

Although today many young people don’t even know about it, it is still played by many older people. It is a simple but fascinating game, as it requires amazing dexterity (video).

Otedama

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Historical scene made of Chrysanthemum dolls