Horse Fukuwarai

Introducing a horse-themed Fukuwarai that you can play with and then use as a wall decoration.

The base is styled like a hanging scroll, so it should beautifully brighten up your New Year wall display.

Both the hanging scroll and the horse parts for the Fukuwarai are basically made from colored construction paper.

For the base, glue a slightly smaller white sheet onto a navy rectangular sheet of construction paper.

Decorate the top and bottom of the white sheet with washi-patterned tape, then attach rolled, tube-shaped pieces of construction paper to the top and bottom of the navy sheet to finish.

Design the horse as you like, and cut out the parts from construction paper to make it.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

Whirling Lucky Laugh

Here’s an idea for making a Fukuwarai game using clear plastic cups.

First, draw the base face outline and hair on origami paper.

Cut them out with scissors and tape them to the inside of a clear cup.

Next, stack another clear cup on top and, aligning with the base face, use a pen to draw the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Shift the cup slightly and draw several variations of each facial part.

Remove the cup with the facial parts, make starter slits with a craft knife, then use scissors to slice it into rings, separating each part.

Finally, stack the rings back onto the cup with the base face in the correct order—and you’re done! Rotate each ring to mix and match the features and enjoy playing Fukuwarai.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

Daruma Fukuwarai

Let’s incorporate the daruma, which is also popular as a New Year decoration, as a motif for a fukuwarai game.

The base daruma is attached to a frame, and you place the eyebrows, mustache, and ribbon on it.

After playing, you can glue the pieces down to use it as a New Year’s decoration.

How about customizing it by changing the daruma’s expression to a smiling one or switching the body to a different color? When using it as a decoration, it might also be lovely to decorate the frame.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

Wacky Fukuwarai

Speaking of fukuwarai, you usually play it blindfolded, arranging facial parts on a paper board, right? But this idea is a bit different! What’s different is that first you make a blank, featureless face out of felt on the side of a cardboard box.

Then you put the box over your head and, reaching your hands out through a hole below the face, you play fukuwarai! It looks like you’re picking up the missing parts of your own face, and the movements are really funny to watch.

Hook-and-loop tape is attached to the backs of the parts so they stick to the felt.

It’s an idea that would likely be a hit as entertainment at a New Year’s party.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

Fukuwarai of the Seven Lucky Gods

How about playing Fukuwarai with the Seven Lucky Gods for a bit of good fortune? Ebisu, Daikokuten, Fukurokuju, Bishamonten, Hotei, Jurōjin, and Benzaiten—having the full set is truly impressive! After you finish the Fukuwarai game, you could even use them as New Year wall decorations.

It seems the Seven Lucky Gods illustrations are being prepared for sale, so they should become available for purchase before long, but if you’re good at drawing, you can make your own.

Another option is to use coloring-page illustrations that are available for free.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

Daifuku smile

This is a large-scale game of fukuwarai that you can enjoy like playing darts.

You toss the facial parts onto a large sheet with an outline of an Okame face to complete it.

You can play while seated, and there’s no need for a blindfold.

However, since the throwing positions are fixed, you’ll need to adjust your throwing strength so the mouth pieces land closer and the eye pieces land farther.

In other words, control is key.

It’s also important to throw the pieces horizontally so they don’t flip over, so keep that in mind and have fun.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

Giant Fukuwarai

Giant Hell-Fukuwarai, Part 1 [Kawa-san Project]

How about enjoying a giant Fukuwarai spread across the entire floor of the room as a recreational activity? You’ll play blindfolded, but because the face area is large, people around should call out directions and help the player reach each part.

For older adults, walking around blindfolded can be dangerous, so please have a helper assist them to prevent falls.

Since the parts and the base sheet will be quite large, it’s best to make them from lightweight materials, such as tear-resistant paper.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem