Original Jishaku

by Jishaku

Product Features

• Portable strategy game
• Easy to learn
• Unpredictable
• Use magnetic force to outwit your opponent
• Several variations of game play

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2 x 10 x 8 inches ; 1.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001CZ0IG8
• Item model number: RSV2001
• Manufacturer recommended age: 8 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,664 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Jishaku is a portable strategy game like chess or checkers that can be played anywhere in the kitchen or in the beach. Unlike chess, there is an element of surprise when the magnets jump out of position, without warning. There is a surprise, then laughs, follow as two or more players try to beat force fields with strategic thinking plus careful and precise handling of the game’s magnetic stones. The unpredictability of Jishaku turns any get together into a party. Jishaku, Japanese for magnet, uses finely polished hematite magnets for playing pieces. There are several variations of the game but the most popular is "i'm out". While alternating turns with your opponents, the goal of the game is to place magnets onto the game base without letting any magnets connect. If any magnets connect on your turn, you must collect those magnets and add them to your pile. The first person to run out of magnets wins, but there is a twist. All magnets have north and south poles. Jishaku magnets do too. They just aren't marked. So as you carefully place your magnet in a hole you can feel the tug of magnets all around the board. Skilled players learn to use magnetic force in their favor repelling the magnets closest to them without forcing them into other magnets. At least that's the goal but the results can be quite surprising. The record for the most connecting magnets on a turn is twelve and in "i'm out" that’s not a good thing. Find whether you can use magnetic force to outwit your opponent.

Product Description

The force is with you---or not---when you play with magnetic stones and force fields. This intriguing strategy game can be played in three different ways. Jishaku. Ages: 8+

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun, September 16, 2008

By 

Katroadrcr "Katrina" (PA, USA) - See all my reviews

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Original Jishaku (Toy)

This is a great game for all ages not just kids. It's good for kids that hate to lose or need to win since you really can't control the outcome - winners become losers and vice verse. Everyone gets to laugh. A game I would definitely give as a gift.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, worth the price, but don't expect gameplay, June 28, 2010

By 

Tevis Fen-Kortiay (Bloom county) - See all my reviews

= Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Original Jishaku (Toy)

The Good Stuff: [...] for 18 powerful, beautiful, fun-to-handle, polished irregular hematite magnets alone is worth the money, and the actual idea behind the game is ingenious.

Downside: While the game is a great idea, and fun to learn and play around with, unfortunately the game simply lacks what game designers call "game balance." Of the 18 stones to place, the first 9 or so offer no challenge whatsoever, the next 3 are nearly impossible, and the final 6 seem literally impossible. Ergo, who wins is down exclusively to luck and who goes first. It seemed at first as though sufficient practice might de-impossiblize the 2nd half of the game (for instance, we discovered that stones are less "jumpy" when placed exactly horizontal), but this is either impossible or well beyond the abilities of my game group.

Although the game itself ultimately lacks the game-balance necessary for longterm game-play value (think Tic-Tac-Toe), I am very pleased with 18 powerful, beautiful hematite magnets at this price. And the *idea* of the game, while ultimately not playable, provided my social circle a few hours of laughter and pleasure.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of our favorite Christmas gifts, good for older kids and adults together, December 26, 2008

By 

Amy Tiemann "creator of www.MojoMom.com" (North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Original Jishaku (Toy)

This is an unpredictable, tactile game that you have to really play with to appreciate. The pieces are shiny hematite magnets, and you try to place your piece in a foam cushion so that it doesn't attract others. You have to keep any magnets that stick together, and you keep placing magnets until one player runs out. As you can imagine, the lead can go back and forth right up to the final turn. If everyone in your household is old enough to play safely with these magnets (i. e. won't eat them, which would be extremely dangerous), this is a fun age-leveling game that older kids and adults can play together.

I am sure there is also a science lesson about magnets to be learned by playing with this set, but so far we're just having fun exploring Jishaku.