Types of Tag Games and How to Play Them
Tag, that simple game where the person who’s “it” touches someone to pass on the role, is something just about everyone has played.
It’s said that if you trace it back, its origins lie in Heian-period rituals for driving away demons.
Today, it has evolved into many different variations.
This time, we’ll introduce some of those diverse forms of tag.
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Types of Tag/Demon-Tag and How to Play (41–50)
Tag (or Tag, holding hands)
First, start like a regular game of tag.
Anyone touched by “it” holds hands with the tagger and together they chase the remaining players.
As time goes on, the number of taggers grows, ramping up the excitement and suspense.
If you manage to escape until the very end, you might become a hero!
Types of Tag/Demon-Chasing Games and How to Play (51–60)
kotoro-kotoro (onomatopoeic; a light rattling/rolling sound)
This is a game of tag where players line up in a row, and the parent at the front protects the child at the very back from the chaser.
The chaser can only tag the child at the end of the line.
The parent spreads their arms to shield the child from being tagged.
When the chaser tags the child, the chaser becomes the parent, and the tagged child becomes the chaser.
It’s quite a surprisingly deep version of tag, isn’t it?
Wounded Demon
The rules are almost the same as regular tag, but there’s a twist: wherever the chaser touches you becomes a “wound.” Anyone who gets tagged has to chase the others while holding that spot with their hand.
It’s not too bad if it’s your arm or stomach, but getting tagged on the leg is rough.
It’s so hard to run like that!