Ken,a Game of Gestures

So-called ken，which is like the present jyan-ken or "rock，scissors，paper" game，is said to have been introduced into Japan from China in the early Edo period. It became popular as a handy game in the lateEdo period. Ken in China was a finger game，but it developed in Japan into a unique gesture game using the whole body. Ukiyo-e prints were made as a manual of ken practice，and showed people how to play the game.