Kokology : The Game of Self-Discovery [Paperback]

Tadahiko Nagao (Author), Isamu Saito (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 2000

Introducing Kokology -- the fascinating,

addictive pop-psych quiz game that

reveals the surprising real you

Created by a famous Japanese psychologist, kokology is the study of kokoro ("mind" or "spirit" in Japanese). Based on sound psychological principles, Kokology asks you to answer questions about seemingly innocent topics -- such as the color of an imaginary bird that has flown in your window -- and then reveals what your answers say about you. Kokology offers a unique approach to self-discovery and, when played with others, can provide hilarious insight into the you that they never knew.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Bored with the old board games that are gathering dust in your closet? Grab a copy of Kokology (koh-KOL-oh-jee; from the Japanese kokoro, meaning "mind" or "spirit"), a book that contains 55 psychological questions that aim to delve into your subconscious, revealing how you truly feel about work, love, family, sex, and much more. Created by Japanese psychologist Isamu Saito, Kokology puts a spin on traditional psychological tests by transforming them into a series of entertaining and approachable quizzes.

Innocuous questions make Kokology a perfect conversation starter. Find out how magazine reading corresponds with the way a check book is managed; learn what bringing an address book, hairspray, lucky charm, or gum to work may say about a personality trait; or discover your true feelings about sex by answering a few simple questions about an ideal amusement park ride. Kokology's creators have produced questions that will help you gain insight into yourself, but they add that Kokology is just a game and it's OK if you disagree with the results. However, the minds behind this game also believe that you'll find "more often than not you're surprised at how accurately the answers reflect people's true personalities, including your own."

Play Kokology at a dinner party, bring it on a road trip, or tote it along on your next date to begin unveiling new and exciting things about yourself and others. --Jenny Burritt

About the Author

Isamu Saito, a renowned professor at Rissho University in Japan, is the author of a number of bestselling books on psychology and relationships. He created kokology.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 174 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; Original edition (October 3, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684871483
• ISBN-13: 978-0684871486
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #82,324 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Missed the mark for us, July 2, 2004

By 

Eliza (Maine, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kokology : The Game of Self-Discovery (Paperback)

I bought this book as something fun and interactive to do with my husband. I give it two stars because it is something to get you talking and discussing feelings and opinions even if you disagree with the book. That beats just sitting on the couch watching tv. Otherwise though we both felt this book wasn't very revealing and often missed the mark for us entirely. For example, in one question it asks you to describe how you would feel standing in the open door of a flying airplane getting ready to parachute for the first time. In the answer section it says your response indicates how you feel when you are about to have sex with someone for the first time. Okay, how many people wouldn't answer that question with words like nervous anticipation or exhilaration? Both of us did at any rate. Not very revealing. My friend said terrified because she is afraid of heights but she completely rejected the idea that she experiences terror at the prospect of sex. I would imagine alot of people might describe themselves as being fearful of parchuting out of an airplane but not necessarily be quaking with fear in bed.
There were also a lot of questions that seemed to be geared to tapping into your subconcious feelings but for us concrete life experience seemed to skew the results. For instance, in one scenerio you are suppose to be searching for gems and it asks you to describe the size and type of gem you searched for. The answer key says the gem you described is a symbol of your sense of self worth. My husband had described a small not very valuable type of mineral but only because the question brought back happy memories of looking for this on hikes with his father as a child. We both felt that this sort of thing came up rather often for us.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kooky!, July 31, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Kokology : The Game of Self-Discovery (Paperback)

Well.... this book is quite interesting.... there is the good and the bad. First, the good: the scenarios they set up are quite interesting and imaginative. Such as the one about what you would say to a camel that has carried you through an expansive desert or the one about a dark, long stairway leading into a basement where a stranger awaits you. So that's the cool part. Reading the scenarios and deciding what you would do... But, turn the page.. and here's the bad part. The explanations they give for your decisions are let's face it.. ...! You said you thought the long stairway leading into the basement was 20 steps (to make it seem spooky) vs. 5. So the book tells you that that means you've had 20 emotionally scarring problems in your life. That is so not true! I am a very happy person!! I DID NOT have 20 emotional problems in my past. The book goes along like this the whole time. The reasons/explanations they give are ... in my opinion.. But oh well, the scenarios are cool and provide some entertainment.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kokology: the game for the 21st century., October 13, 2000

By 

Maria Maisetzis (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kokology : The Game of Self-Discovery (Paperback)

Did you ever wonder who are you and why you do the things you do? Well, this book is the microscope into your soul you've been looking for. Although this book is supposed to be a game, there is a serious element to it that cannot be ignored. This is a portible version of a psychologists,psychoanalyist, and counselor all in one. The only difference is that you would not need repeated costly visits that will leave you hating yourself or your parents. The advice given at the end of each game is gentle and suggestive that would not leave anyone feeling inferior or uncomfortable. I even recommend young adults reading this book to discover themselves without the pain of playing with drugs or other avenues of experimentation. After having read and done the self-discovering excerises, one could put down the book and re-read it after a season to note the changes in lifestyle made. It is alot of fun to use at a party but also by yourself. I hope a second book is in the works, I am one of many Kokology addicts and fans. GET THIS BOOK, YOU WON'T REGRET IT!