貝覆い遊びの歴史は平家物語の時代に遡り、後白河天皇の女御・平滋子が女房たちを楽しませるために行った遊びとして、藤原定家の姉・健寿の日記『たまきはる』に最古の記録があります。私は今、長い歴史を持つ貝覆いを通じて、さらに広い遊びの文化を学びたいという気持ちです。日本には他にも多くの伝統的遊戯があり、当協会は貝覆い遊びを多くの他の伝承遊戯の一つとして伝承する活動を進めてまいります。
具体的には、東京のゲームマーケットへの出展を予定し、国内外での普及を目指します。海外ではフランスやドイツでボードゲーム文化が根付いており、世代や文化を超えた交流の場となっています。2018年に渡仏した際には、現地イベントで稚貝貝覆いを披露し、多くの関心を集めました。貝覆いはルールがシンプルで説明が容易なうえ、貝殻の外側を観察する日本独自のゲームである点が特徴です。
ヨーロッパではボードゲームが歴史や社会の文化資料としても評価されており、当協会の海外部門では認定講師の彩藤様がアジア圏での普及に尽力しています。今後も国際交流の場として活動を広げるために、26年には再度渡仏しフランスのボードゲーム市場や出版社を訪問予定です。日本の王朝文化の魅力を世界に伝えることを使命とし、広い視野で活動を続けてまいります。
I am filled with gratitude that the “Seashell Art Award Exhibition” has successfully concluded. From 2024 to 2025, we held a training course for certified instructors of the shell-matching game, and from 2025 to 2026, we held the Shell-Matching Award. From 2026 to 2027, in order to spread the shell-matching game not only in Japan but also as part of traditional game culture around the world, we will work on training creators who can make not only 2-piece shell-matching sets but also 12-piece sets. The application period for the second award is scheduled to begin in 2027, and the award ceremony is planned for 2028.
The history of the shell-matching game dates back to the time of “The Tale of the Heike,” and the oldest record can be found in “Tamaki Haru,” the diary of Fujiwara no Teika’s sister, Kenju. It records that Taira no Shigeko, the consort of Emperor Go-Shirakawa, played the shell-matching game to entertain the ladies-in-waiting. I would like to learn about a wider range of game culture through the long history of the shell-matching game. Japan has many other traditional games, and our association will continue its activities to preserve the Kai-awase game as one of these traditional games.
Specifically, we plan to exhibit at the Tokyo Game Market and strive to promote board games both domestically and internationally. Board game culture is already well-established in countries such as France and Germany, serving as a platform for exchange across generations and cultures. During a visit to France in 2018, we introduced the board game “Kai-oi” at a local event, which received a great response. Kai-oi is characterized by its simple rules, ease of explanation, and the uniquely Japanese element of observing the outside of seashells.
In Europe, board games are highly valued as historical and social cultural heritage, and our overseas branch, through certified instructor Ayafuji, is working to spread Kai-oi in Asia. To further expand Kai-oi’s activities as a platform for international exchange, we plan to visit the French board game market and publishers in 2026. Our mission is to convey the charm of Japanese imperial culture to the world, and we will continue our activities with a broad perspective.