Game Item Number: Ed5.3073 a-o from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Yellow, loosely woven cloth (part a) with black calligraphy on one side is tied around shells (parts b-o). Seven sets of two bivalve shells with matching scenes painted on gold paper glued to the inside. The gold paper has dots and geometric patterns. Between the patterned paper are different variations of green, brown and white swatch across the centre as part of the landscape greenery. Outer surface of shell is plain and polished. The first set (parts b and c) have red and blue flowers on upper strip of paper. The second set (parts d and e) have a branch with flowers and two white and black birds with red breasts on the upper half. The third set (parts f and g) have brown grass and red and blue flowers on gold paper on the upper half. The fourth set (parts h and i) have red and blue flower sprays on upper half. Gold is rubbed off in a few places. The fifth set (parts j and k) have a fence with blue and red flowers above. The sixth set (parts l and m) have a brown log-like image above swatch. The last set (parts n and o) have three white flowers and one red flower on upper gold paper.
History Of Use
Shell matching games probably developed around the end of the Heian Period (9 th-12th centuries C.E.). The shells are divided into 2 groups; one group is scattered on the floor (ji-gai) and the others (dashi-gai) are produced by the participants, who compete in finding the correct counterpart on the floor. The winner is decided by obtaining the greatest number of matched pairs. During the Muro-Machi Period (14th to 16th centuries C.E.) it became customary to include a shell-game set in a bride's trousseau, because a clam shell half can only be paired with its true mate.
Cultural Context
social
Item History
- Made in Japan
- Collected between 1927 and 1940
- Owned by Richard Brown
- Owned by Aileen P. Walker and Charles Walker before January 9, 1985
- Received from Aileen P. Walker (Donor) and Charles Walker (Donor) on January 9, 1985
What
Who
- Culture
- Japanese
- Previous Owner
- Richard Brown, Aileen P. Walker and Charles Walker
- Received from
- Aileen P. Walker (Donor) and Charles Walker (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Japan
When
- Collection Date
- between 1927 and 1940
- Ownership Date
- before January 9, 1985
- Acquisition Date
- on January 9, 1985
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 1012/0036 a-o