How to play Ohajiki
We’re introducing a variety of ways to play with ohajiki.
Like beanbags and marbles, ohajiki have long been popular as a traditional toy and pastime.
You’re probably familiar with the classic game where you flick the pieces with your finger to make them collide.
This time, we’ve gathered not only flicking games, but also fun ways to play that don’t involve flicking.
If you want to play with ohajiki or learn new ways to use them, be sure to check this out.
It’s packed with the many charming qualities of ohajiki!
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How to Play Ohajiki (1–10)
Candle holder making
We’re going to make a holder for a candle using ohajiki (flat glass marbles)! Prepare a small LED light shaped like a candle, like the ones you can find at 100-yen shops.
Also prepare a container that’s just big enough to hold the light, and start attaching the ohajiki around the outside as decoration.
If you fill the gaps between the ohajiki with resin clay, it will not only secure them firmly but also look beautiful! And that’s it—finished!
Drawing with ohajiki (Japanese glass marbles)
Ohajiki aren’t just for flicking! What we’re introducing here is art made with ohajiki.
Draw any picture you like, then attach ohajiki to it with glue.
After that, paint the ohajiki with richly colored paints.
Before the paint dries, press a clean white sheet of paper on top.
And what do you know—the colors transfer! On the transferred sheet, draw freely again… The bumps and grooves of the ohajiki transform it into a wonderfully textured art piece.
Give it a try!
Ohajiki Shoot
Prepare a piece of backing board such as cardboard and attach a small box to one end to serve as the goal.
Then flick marbles (ohajiki) to see if you can get them into the goal—this is the “Ohajiki Shoot.” Decide on the number of flicks allowed and compete to see how many you can score.
You can also add your own rules to make it more exciting, such as deducting points if a piece goes out of bounds.
How to Play Ohajiki (11–20)
carom
This game, known as carrom, is said to be the predecessor of billiards.
Like billiards, you flick your striker (a playing piece) with your finger to sink your opponent’s defender pieces into the pockets located at the four corners of the board.
The player who pockets all of the opponent’s defender pieces and then pockets the piece called the “soul” last wins.
It’s a flicking game for 2 or 4 players that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike!
Ohajiki sticker(s)
Puffy stickers like little glass game pieces—“ohajiki” stickers! There are lots of toys on the market that let you make them easily.
You can use pre-made sticker sheets, of course, but you can also create them from your favorite photos or drawings that aren’t stickers to begin with.
Generally, you place a cover shaped like an ohajiki over what you want to turn into a sticker, then add adhesive to make it a finished sticker.
It’s an easy way to make super-cute stickers, so be sure to check it out!
Aroma candle making
Ohajiki come in all sorts of colors, with slightly jagged edges, they’re small, and they look really cute.
That’s why ohajiki are great not only for playing but also for making decorative items to brighten up a room.
If you use a glue gun to stick colorful ohajiki all over a cup, in no time you’ll have a lovely decorative cup.
Pop a candle inside and light it, and you’ll have an atmospheric aroma candle.
Give it a try!
Ohajiki Daruma Otoshi
Stack the ohajiki and flick them with an ohajiki! It’s such a simple game, yet somehow you can’t help getting hooked—that’s the charm of the Ohajiki Daruma-Otoshi.
If you stack them too high, even a slight impact can make everything collapse, so about 10 layers might be just right.
Flicking an ohajiki from a distance takes quite a bit of control.
You can play solo or with a group, so give it a try with everyone!