Yoshikazu's Samurai Armour Sugoroku
A sugoroku on the real 1858 print by Isshusai Yoshikazu: put on samurai armour piece by piece, loincloth to helmet, and return to camp in victory. 2–6 players, about 15 min, free.
Play over time
Yoshikazu's Samurai Armour Sugoroku in 30 seconds
- Setup2–6 players. Everyone starts on the start square at the bottom right. Solo players face 3 CPUs.
- MoveRoll one die and move that many squares, in the order of putting on armour.
- SquaresNone of the 41 squares has an inn or a jump. You simply dress, arm and head into battle.
- WinReach Victorious Return to Camp in the centre with the exact roll. Extra pips send you back as the yellow panel says.
At a glance
| Item | This game |
|---|---|
| Players | 2–6 players |
| Play time | About 15 min |
| Type | Board |
| Ranked play | No |
| Practice against the CPU | Yes |
| Price | Free (no account needed) |
| Rights holder | A public-domain classic game |
| Last updated | 2026-09-25 |
How to play Yoshikazu's Samurai Armour Sugoroku online with friends
- Tap "Play with friends"A party is created with a 6-character code. No account is needed.
- Send a link or QR codeShare it on LINE, or just read the code aloud.
- Everyone opens it in a browserOnce 2–6 players have joined, the host taps "Start".
Rule highlights
Setup, play, winning, and house rules
Setup
- The board is the real print Katchu Chakuyo Sonae Sugoroku, drawn by Isshusai Yoshikazu in 1858, from the National Diet Library Digital Collections.
- 2–6 players. Playing alone, you face 3 CPUs.
- Everyone places a piece on the start square (bottom right). Each piece has its own shape, so you can tell them apart even on a shared square. Pieces never block or capture each other.
How to play
- Take turns rolling one die and move that many squares. From the start the route runs left along the bottom row, clockwise round the outside, then round the inside once more to the centre.
- The squares follow the order of dressing: loincloth, undershirt, sash, short hakama, tabi socks, leggings, straw sandals and shin guards (1–8); thigh guards, archer's glove, armoured sleeves, armpit guard, body armour, outer sash and shoulder guards, then two swords at the belt, throat guard, headband, face guard and helmet (9–20). From square 21 come the preparations and deeds of battle.
- The table on the start square (1 loincloth, 2 undershirt, 3 sash, 4 short hakama, 5 tabi, 6 leggings) is the same as moving by your roll: squares 1 to 6 carry the printed numbers ① to ⑥. These are the only printed numbers, so BGJ numbers the squares 1 to 41.
- No square has an inn (miss a turn) or a jump.
Winning
- The first player to reach Victorious Return to Camp in the centre with the exact roll wins.
- Extra pips send you back as the yellow panel to the left of the goal says: 1 extra to the Command Baton (41), 2 to the Battle Surcoat (40), 3 to the Commander's Fan (39), 4 to the Post-Road Bell (38) and 5 to the Great Armour (37).
- By default the game ends when the first player finishes; the others are ranked by how far they got. A house rule lets you play on until everyone is ranked.
House rules
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finishing | "As printed", the default, needs the exact roll to reach the centre; extra pips send you back to the Command Baton, Battle Surcoat, Commander's Fan, Post-Road Bell or Great Armour as the yellow panel says (on this board that is the same as moving back by the extra pips). "Bounce back" moves you back from the goal by the extra pips. "Over is fine" lets any roll that reaches the goal win. | As printed | Can be changed |
| Rank everyone | When on, play continues after the first player finishes until only one is left. Off by default (the game ends when one player finishes). | Off | Can be changed |
| Rotate first player on Again | Pressing Again passes the first turn of the next game to the next player. | On | Can be changed |
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FAQ
Who made this sugoroku?
The pictures are by Isshusai Yoshikazu and the publisher was Maruya Jinpachi of Shiba Shinmei-mae; it was published in 1858. The original is held by the National Diet Library, which publishes it online as out of copyright.
Where does the board image come from?
From the National Diet Library Digital Collections (call number 本別9-27), cropped to the printed frame with the title, artist and publisher columns. The pieces, square rings and route arrows are drawn by BGJ on top; the picture itself is not altered.
In what order is the armour put on?
The route is the order of dressing: loincloth, undershirt, sash, short hakama, tabi, leggings, sandals and shin guards (1–8); thigh guards, archer's glove, armoured sleeves, armpit guard, body armour, outer sash and shoulder guards (9–15); two swords at the belt (16); throat guard, headband and face guard (17–19); and the helmet (20). From the back banner on, the squares show the preparations and deeds of battle.
What is the table on the start square?
It reads 1 loincloth, 2 undershirt, 3 sash, 4 short hakama, 5 tabi, 6 leggings: your first roll takes you to squares 1–6 along the bottom row (the ones printed ① to ⑥). That is the same as moving by your roll.
How many can play?
2 to 6. Playing alone, you face 3 CPUs.
How were the squares named?
Each Japanese name is the text on the square's red label, kept as printed (old character forms included); the reading comes from the label's small kana. The kana on square 2 (undershirt) is worn, so its reading is our best guess. The English names are ours.
Can I play on a phone?
Yes. No app is needed — just open it in a browser. You can join the same party as people on a PC or tablet.
Can two people play?
Yes. This game supports 2 or more players.
Can we play without being online at the same time?
Yes. Choose “Turn-based (told each turn)” and you can make one move whenever you like. We tell you when it is your turn. A table ends automatically, with no winner or loser, after 45 days without a move.
Rights holder and physical edition
This is a public-domain classic game. The rules follow the standard reference rules.
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Last updated 2026-09-25 · Run by Qdan, Inc.