Hana Ichimonme: Japanese Line Song Game
A traditional singing game from Japan: two lines holding hands step forward and back while singing, and each team picks a player it wants to win over. The chosen players settle it with full-body rock, paper, scissors. Students work on rhythm, group coordination, and handling winning and losing.
How to play
- Set up two games of 12-13 students, each with two hand-holding lines of 6-7 facing each other 6 yards apart behind cone rows (2 min).
- Teach the simple song: team A sings 'We won, we're happy, hana ichimonme' while taking 4 steps forward and a small kick at the end; team B steps back at the same time.
- Team B answers 'We lost, we're sad, hana ichimonme' stepping forward while team A steps back. Practice twice (3 min).
- Both teams shout 'Let's decide!', huddle, secretly pick an opponent, and announce: 'We want Hugo!'
- The two chosen players meet in the middle for full-body rock, paper, scissors (crouch, star jump, or lunge). The loser joins the other team.
- Repeat the sequence. The game ends when one team has everyone or after 10 minutes, and the bigger team wins (10 min).
Rules
- Step to the rhythm of the song without pulling on hands.
- Choose someone different each round until everyone has gone.
- The loser joins the other team with a high five.
- The kick stays below knee height.
Variations
Easier
Play with shorter lines, and the duel is rock, paper, scissors with hands.
Standard
Lines of 6-7, the full song, and a full-body duel.
Harder
The chosen players must run one lap around their own line before the duel.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student is at one end of the line and uses arm signals in the duel.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher signals the steps by hand, and a card shows the lyrics.
- Shyness: at first, pick two players at once so no one goes out alone.
Learning goals
- Coordinate the line's movement with the rhythm of a song.
- Accept winning and losing by switching teams with good sportsmanship.
- Learn about a traditional Japanese children's game and its word 'hana', flower.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 8
Teacher tip
'Hana ichimonme' refers to buying a flower for one coin. Mark the 6-yard spacing clearly so the lines never bump when stepping forward.
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