Oshikura Manju

Oshikura Manju is a very simple game that is played on cold days in order to get warm.

Procedure: This game can be played with a minimum of 3 to 4 players, but it is better if there are more. The players first gather around in a circle, as close to each other as possible. They face the outside, standing back to back with each other. When the game starts, the players powerfully shove backwards, pressing their backs towards other players' backs as they chant this song aloud.

"Oshikura manju osarete nakuna" (oshikura manju don't cry even when shoved). This is the most famous part of the song, and many people are familiar with only this part. However, the proper song continues. "Nakuko wa dare yowamushi kemushi hasannde sutero" (Who is crying? Pinch the coward and caterpillar, and throw them away.) The players continue shoving eachother, repeating this song over and over. There is no acculate end to this game.

There are some variations to Oshikra Manju, and one of them is to play in a circle drawn on the ground. The game goes on with whoever pushed out of that circle getting out of the group, ending when one player left in the circle.

The word "Oshikura" in the name of this game is thought to have the meaning of "oshikurabe" (shoving competition), but originally, it is not a game to compete. It is an easygoing game to simply enjoy shoving each other vigorously. As people are absorbed in playing this game, when they notice, they often find out that they have gotten really warmed up.