Kai-Awase shell question...

[Lady Kimiko]

So, I want to make my own set of Kai-Awase shells. The main problem I am having is this: just what exact kind of shells should I use? There are many kinds of clam shells.

From what I can tell they are Venerupis philippinarum, but I'd like to make certain I am right before trying to buy shells.

[Noriko]

If you want to make a version of the shell game that's a little less... clanky, I made a set of shell 'cards' that many people seem to enjoy. If you'd like, I can type out the details of its construction and some pictures.

[Saionji Shonagon]

Given that the Japanese didn't call 'em Venerupis philippinarum, I think you'll be fine looking for a clam shell that's the same size and shape as the average kai awase piece. (Says the woman who spent an entire evening reading about the Japanese brush warbler on the theory that making cosmetics from its feces might be marginally less icky if they were seed eaters instead of chowing down on worms.)

[Lady Kimiko]

Hmm, I have located a few Japanese clam shells. Do the shells have to be a specific kind or were a variety of different kinds of shells used?

[Deleted]

Holy cow, please be warned, everybody, before you do web searches on kai-awase while you're at work:

Judging from some of my Google Image Search results, "kai-awase" appears to have become a euphemism for a sexual act.

I'm no prude, but give me a break Internets, I could get in trouble with the corporate network admins for that kind of thing.

[Ōgiyame no Emi]

I was going to attempt the same thing a while ago. The problems I encountered were A) the sheer number of shell paintings involved (360 odd pairs if memory serves, each half painted to match) and B) finding matching pairs of shells in the first place.

I didn't realise myself until I started digging that it's this that's crucial to making the game work, even more so than having beautifully painted images inside the shell halves. From what I understand, once the shells are laid out backs-up one makes guesses based on the minute naturally occurring patterns and striations on the backs of the shells; each shell only fits with its brother, no other half will 'click' together.

Personally I got as far as finding potential sellers for similar shells on ebay, but their shells are random, not sorted into matched original halves, so the odds are that you'd be paying for a bag of mismatched shells.

The only other option seemed to be, find whole shells somewhere and clean them yourself... Though I think this involves a fair amount of labour and types of acid, bleach or similar - to clean the shells of organic matter and bacteria.

This site may be of help: www.kurokigoishi.co.jp/english/onlineshop/kaiawase/

Good luck with your project, Kimiko-hime!

[Deleted]

Jun 12, 2013 5:20:12 GMT -5 Ōgiyame no Emi said:

I was going to attempt the same thing a while ago. The problems I encountered were A) the sheer number of shell paintings involved (360 odd pairs if memory serves, each half painted to match)

Well, that's only if you want a super-impressive set. I mean, people play Concentration with just 54 cards and it's plenty difficult.

I didn't realise myself until I started digging that it's this that's crucial to making the game work, even more so than having beautifully painted images inside the shell halves. From what I understand, once the shells are laid out backs-up one makes guesses based on the minute naturally occurring patterns and striations on the backs of the shells; each shell only fits with its brother, no other half will 'click' together.

This is no doubt true, but again in Concentration with regular playing cards the backs are all identical and it is still a playable game.

The only other option seemed to be, find whole shells somewhere

I would try restaurants or grocers that sell clams for eating. Personally, I don't think slugs in boxes are food, but plenty of people do.

and clean them yourself... Though I think this involves a fair amount of labour and types of acid, bleach or similar - to clean the shells of organic matter and bacteria.

For things of this type (bones, shells, etc.) you don't actually want to use bleach. Acidic solutions will leach calcium from the object, weakening the structure and dissolving the surface. You are better off boiling them in plain water, and/or soaking them in hydrogen peroxide. These will sanitize the objects and break down the organic matter without damage.

[Lady Kimiko]

Honestly, I would be happy to play with a smaller set that helps people get a taste and feel, have fun, and not over whelm me. Ideally I was looking at maybe a total of 30. I know the original sets were 360 - but that really is just too much for me on a practical level.