522 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1893. 



The Koreans call dominoes Ml-hpai (Chinese kwat p''di)^ "bone tab- 

 lets." A more correct name is said to be ho-hpai, (Chinese iTp^U), "bar- 

 barian tablets." This latter name is also ai)p]ied to a special game. 

 The 32 dominoes are paired as shown in pi. 6, those of which there are 

 two being mated with each other, and those of which there are but one 

 with reference to the sum of the spots, but not in the manner of the 

 Chinese series (PL 5). 



The ])ieces receive the same names as those of the dice throws of 

 the Korean game Ssang-ryouJc, "backgammon," viz: 



1-1, 8i/o-8yo (Chinese siii siii), "smallest." 

 1-2, tjoui-hko (Chinese shit pi), "rat nose." 

 1-3, syo sam (Chinese siii sdm), "small and three." 

 1-4, puik s(i {Chmese pdk az'), " white and four." 

 1-5, paik i {Chinese pdk 'ng), "white and five." 

 1-6, piiik ryoiik (Chinese j;aA; luk), " white and six." 

 2-2, tjomt-a (Chinese tsun a), "superior two." 

 2-3, a sam (Chinese a sam), "two and three." 

 2-4, a sd (Chinese d s~'), "two and four." 

 2-5, koan-a (Chinese kitn d), "sovereign two." 

 2-6, a ryoiik (Chinese d luk), "two and six." 

 3-3, tjyaug-sam (Chinese ch^e'iing sdm), "long three." 

 3-4, sam sd (Chinese sdm s,'), "three four." 

 3-5, sam o (Chinese sd7n ')ig), "three and five." 

 3-6, sam ryoiik (Chinese sdm hik), "three and six." 

 4-4, tjoiin-hoiig (Chinese tsim hung), " superior red." 

 4-5, sd (Chinese sz' 'ng), " four and five." 

 4-6, sd ryouk (Chinese sz' luk), "four and six." 

 5-5, tjoiin (Chinese tsun 'ng), "superior five." 

 5-6, ryouk (Chinese 'ng luk), "five and six." 

 6-6, tjonn-ryouk (Chinese tsun luk), "superior six." 



Dominoes are regarded as a vulgar game in Korea. They are used in 

 gambling houses and are not much played as a social game by the higher 

 classes. 



HO-HPAI. 



The commonest Korean game of dominoes is called Eo-hpai, i. e., 

 "Barbarian tablets." It is played by 3 or 4 persons. When 4 persons 

 play an entire set of dominoes are used. When 3 play the following 

 pieces are withdrawn : 6-6, 5-5, 4-4, and 3-3. The dominoes are turned 

 face down and shuffled. On commencing to play, the players all draw 

 1 piece to decide who shall play first. The one who gets the piece with 

 the highest number of spots becomes tlie Tjyang-ouen (Chinese, Chong 

 Un).* The pieces are again shuffled and the Tjyang-ouen draws 7 pieces 

 and each of the other players 6, The Tjyang-ouen then whirls his 7 

 pieces about between his fingers in the right hand until 1 piece slips 

 out. This piece he turns face up. Should the piece turned up be either 

 5-4, 1-2, 1-4 or 2-3 he keeps the pieces he has drawn. If it should be 

 either 6-6, 5-5, 4-4, 3-3, 2-2, 1-1, 6-5, 6-4, 6-1, 5-1, or 3-1, that is to 



* This title is that of the first of the literary graduates in Korea. The same name 

 is applied to the first of the Hanlm doctors in China. 



