No.166
Last-Sound Word Chain (Shiritori)
Japanese name: しりとり
Materials
- Paper and pens if needed
How to play
- Choose a playing order. The first person names a familiar object in Japanese. The next person gives a word beginning with the previous word's final spoken sound.
- For example, neko (cat) → koma (spinning top) → mame (beans). Do not repeat used words. End the current chain if a word finishes with the Japanese sound n.
- Agree on tricky cases beforehand. For a long final vowel, use the preceding sound: sukī (ski) can be followed by kitsune (fox), using ki.
- Help one another think of words; passing is allowed. Applaud after connecting ten words, then change who starts and play again.
Ways to adapt
Preschool children: choose from picture cards. Younger primary school children: play freely. Older primary school children: add one condition, such as three-kana words or food words only.