“RATOI’, a game of matching the two halves of pictured shells, 
a pair of boxes called “Kaioke”, and some specimens of shells used in the game, 
This game was popular among higher class ladies in olden times in Japan, The pair of boxes called “Kaioke”, shell boxes, 
contained, one the right half, the other the left half, of 260 clam shells. Jretrix mere/rix, as big as a man’s fist, of which 
some specimens are shown, The number of shells was that of the days in a year, Each clam shell had a different picture on 
the inside; but that on the inside of the two valves that make up one clam was the same. 
When the game began, the one in charge of the boxes took her place between them, and opened the box that contained the 
left halves ; according to the 12 months of the year, she took out 12 valves, and arranged them inside down in a circle in the 
middle of the room, Then 19 valves were arranged inside down to make the second circle outside the first, next a third circle 
was made of 26, a 4th of 39, a 5th of 40, a 6th of 47, and so on until a 9th was made of 68, the last three—7th, 8th and 9th— 
having each 7 valves more than the next inner one, 
These nine circles showed the ancient Japanese astronomers’ belief that the heaven consisted of 9 layers piled up one over 
another. When the arrangement of the 360 left halves was finished, ‘the players sat around, Then the box-keeper, opening the 
other box that contained the right halves, took one out and put it inside down in the centre of the circles, 
Now each player tried by turn to find the valve to match the one that had just been brought in, The pictures were of no 
advantage to the players, for all the valves were placed inside down, and the pictures could not be seen, They could, therefore, 
judge only by the shape, coloring, or markings on the valves, as to which one would match that in the centre. When a player 
succeeded in matching the two valves, she placed them in front of her knees; and another right valve was brought in to be 
matched ; lf she failed, she must wait her turn to try again. The one gaining the most entire clams won the game. 
They were much ashamed of picking up a wrong one to match the valve in the centre, They were very cautious in speech 
and behaviour ; very modest to one another. During the game they unconsciously mastered good manners and behaviour, and 
consequently this game was regarded as a moral and socializing sport. It is said that up to the time of the restoration in Japan, 
these boxes and clams were considered essential articles that the bride of higher class had to take with her to her husband’s home. 
This picture of “Kaidi” was painted by a noted artist, Seiichi Asahi. The boxes are octagonal, and lacquered with gold designs ; 
the height is one foot and 3 inches, and the diameter one foot and 2 inches; tied and decorated with red silk braids. 
The 15 valves exhibited outside down in front of the boxes are specimens once used in the game, — 3inches long and 2 inches 
and a half high. The inside is pasted with paper, and gold dust is varnished on. 
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