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Hanamikoji box art

Hanamikoji

Game ID: GID0151818
Collection Status
Description

Welcome to the most famed Geisha street in the old capital, Hanamikoji. Geishas are elegant and graceful women who are skilled in art, music, dance, and a variety of performances and ceremonies. Greatly respected and adored, Geishas are masters of entertainment.

In Hanamikoji, two players compete to earn the favor of seven illustrious Geishas by collecting each Geisha’s preferred performance item. With careful speculation and a few bold moves, can you outsmart your opponent to win the favor of the most Geishas?

Jixia Academy features the same gameplay as Hanamikoji, but with different artwork.

Hanamikoji FAQ

Year Published
2013
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 12
This page: 12
Sentiment: pos 11 · mix 0 · neu 1 · neg 0
Mentions per page
Top
Showing 1–12 of 12
Video Ng3Ka7rgcNo Allies or Enemies top_10_list at 8:21 sentiment: positive
video_pk 61108 · mention_pk 153588
Allies or Enemies - Hanamikoji video thumbnail
Click to watch at 8:21 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • clever pick-and-pass mechanic
  • tight two-player tension and strategic depth
  • beautiful presentation
Cons
  • two-player-only design limits player-count flexibility
  • requires careful thought to avoid giving away key cards
Thematic elements
  • shifting influence and favor through card play
  • GeishaHouse competition; Japanese setting
  • elegant and tense two-player duel
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • area/control via majority on geishas — The geishas have values; the majority wins their favor.
  • pick-and-pass cards (I cut you choose) — You give cards to your opponent and choose which to keep; you aim to win geisha favors.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's a date night classic for us
  • Escape rooms in a box
  • it's such a beautiful like calm game
  • it's a terrific tile placement game
  • this is the heaviest of all of the games on this list
  • it's a two-player only game
  • it's meanest game on this list
  • it's a modern classic
  • Bandido is slippery
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video xWjXtFnwe50 Board Game Garden top_10_list at 18:26 sentiment: positive
video_pk 28856 · mention_pk 84720
Board Game Garden - Hanamikoji video thumbnail
Click to watch at 18:26 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
very positive
Pros
  • Stunning art and elegant design
  • Beautiful two-player duel with clear, tense decisions
Cons
  • Requires optimal play to shine; less scalable to larger groups
Thematic elements
  • attention and influence through card play
  • geisha house in Edo-era Japan
  • short, elegant duel with precise choices
Comparison games
  • Codenames Duet (as a contrast in two-player tension)
  • 7 Wonders Duel
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Combat: Deck/Hand — designed as a tight, tactical duel
  • dueling hand-management / line of geishas — players vie for control of geishas by selecting cards to influence the line
  • hand management — players vie for control of geishas by selecting cards to influence the line
  • two-player head-to-head — designed as a tight, tactical duel
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • these are games from you know 1990 something all the way up to I think the most recent one is 2013
  • I really want to try Agricola because Francis and I have played Caverna we absolutely love Caverna
  • the fisherman theme that's why we tried News Fjord as well because we loved that theme
  • Onirim ... a solo game where you shuffle through your dreams and open doors
  • Robinson Crusoe ... you are trying to survive on an island cooperatively
  • Hanamikoji is absolutely beautiful and I would love to try it
  • CV is one that I would love to try the art is absolutely adorable
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video KANEySpAdSc Broken Meatball top_100_list at 11:40 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13320 · mention_pk 39057
Broken Meatball - Hanamikoji video thumbnail
Click to watch at 11:40 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
highly positive
Pros
  • tight, elegant ruleset
  • one of the best two-player euro-style games
Cons
  • can cause analysis paralysis with new players
Thematic elements
  • winning favor through traditional geisha items
  • Geisha district card game
  • elegant, thematic, and concise
Comparison games
  • Geisha's Road
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • card tableau management — manage cards to maximize points while revealing information
  • hand management — select and pass cards to opponents to optimize scoring
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's a really cool worker placement game
  • it's such a cool rule set
  • it's a bucket load of scenarios
  • this is a big, bold, immersive fantasy dungeon game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 6_4A2PQc-nM Chairman of the Board top_50_list at 17:02 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9184 · mention_pk 27092
Chairman of the Board - Hanamikoji video thumbnail
Click to watch at 17:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • genius, compact design
  • very strong two-player experience
  • poker-face tension and bluffing shine
Cons
  • two-player only may deter broader groups
  • scary for new players due to hidden information
Thematic elements
  • two-player hand-management duel
  • geisha culture and cultural influence
  • sleek, elegant
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • dueling hand management — careful selection of which cards to reveal and when
  • endgame reveal with hidden information — small card reveals tilt the final scoring
  • I cut, you choose — two paired cards are offered; opponent chooses one pair, you keep the other
  • I split you choose — two paired cards are offered; opponent chooses one pair, you keep the other
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • this is a really interesting game
  • one of the best examples of that mechanism being used correctly
  • infinite replayability
  • timeless, evergreen status
  • flows wonderfully and rewards careful planning
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video BpPv6huSZBg Chairman of the Board top_10_list at 12:23 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8685 · mention_pk 130283
Chairman of the Board - Hanamikoji video thumbnail
Click to watch at 12:23 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • highly balanced with powerful decisions
  • rewards deep thinking and practice
  • rich, cerebral game feel
Cons
  • rules-tend-to-be intricate for new players
Thematic elements
  • tug-of-war for item control
  • two-player duel; geisha-themed hand management
  • cerebral, balanced tug
Comparison games
  • Torres
  • Medina
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • elimination / endgame tension — Shaping the final hand to win the majority of items against the opponent.
  • four actions per round — You can perform actions in any order to manipulate items and geishas.
  • I cut, you choose — Offer cards to your opponent; they take what they want, you keep the rest.
  • player elimination — Shaping the final hand to win the majority of items against the opponent.
  • Split-you-choose — Offer cards to your opponent; they take what they want, you keep the rest.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • my top 10 board games that are pure and trendproof
  • these games have a timeless quality to them where it almost feels like they could have been played 100 years ago as well as still be played like 100 years in the future
  • these games are not necessarily in order of what is more timeless and what isn't because I obviously feel like they either fit that category or they don't
  • they all fit that category of feeling trendproof
  • these are evergreen games that will weather the storm and stand the test of time
  • Push your luck games have a timeless feel to them because… staying in one more round or dropping out and keeping what you've got is kind of a real visceral emotion
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video zJqdKED3NmM Board Games Hitting My Table general_discussion at 12:08 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8380 · mention_pk 24679
Board Games Hitting My Table - Hanamikoji video thumbnail
Click to watch at 12:08 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Tight two-player card game
  • Smooth, evergreen design
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Bidding and micro-management
  • Two-player card-duel with geisha-themed art
  • Elegant, precise, tight
Comparison games
  • Mandala
  • Rome in a Day
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • set collection / card drafting — Two-player, precise card play to maximize scoring
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • one of the coolest initiative mechanisms that I've ever seen
  • this is like an essential because it is that good
  • an absolute blast playing these couple of games
  • the two-player card game on the market
  • Mandala is absolutely smooth as silk
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video wx6ntHNGwqk Board Game Ramblings general_discussion at 16:50 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6416 · mention_pk 18990
Board Game Ramblings - Hanamikoji video thumbnail
Click to watch at 16:50 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Elegant two-player design
  • Tight, tense decisions
  • Streamlined rules in newer edition
Cons
  • Some players may find the bidding terse or brutal
Thematic elements
  • competitive hand management with minimal info
  • Geisha culture in historical Japan
  • abstract, conflict-driven bidding in a two-player duel
Comparison games
  • Geisha's Road
  • Hannah Makoji
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • asymmetric scoring through guest tokens — score based on which cards are favored by the opponent and guests gained
  • set/hand management and card drafting — each player offers up to a limited set of geisha cards to attract the most favorable guests
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • these two Hannah Makoji and geisha's road are some of the best two-player games in existence
  • World Splitters was a nice cool filler
  • Evergreen was okay
  • 80 euros is not going to happen
  • this is potentially a seal of Distinction level game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video P9zZvuyYDis Dice Tower library_tour at 6:02 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 4840 · mention_pk 14296
Dice Tower - Hanamikoji video thumbnail
Click to watch at 6:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
none
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Shelf 16 is kind of a an odd mix here
  • This shelf has twice as many games as most shelves
  • one of my favorite two-player games, but it's very difficult to learn and play
  • Fantastic abstract strategy game
  • Such a classic game and I like it a lot
  • I don't know why I like it so much, but I do
  • one of the most beautiful dexterity/party games there are
  • There are so many games on the shelf
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 4Z8_t2e4MEY Before You Play top_50_list at 16:46 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4734 · mention_pk 13806
Before You Play - Hanamikoji video thumbnail
Click to watch at 16:46 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • tight, elegant two-player experience
  • great for couples or short head-to-head sessions
  • beautiful production and thematic integration
Cons
  • limited to two players; not ideal for larger groups
Thematic elements
  • two-player dueling with honor and influence
  • Geisha culture; Japan
  • thinky, deductive
Comparison games
  • Gyxy Academy
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • hand management — Managing a small hand to attract geishas and win their favor.
  • Pattern recognition — Anticipate opponent choices to outmaneuver them.
  • Pattern recognition/deduction — Anticipate opponent choices to outmaneuver them.
  • Two-Player Only — Designed for head-to-head play with alternating actions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • we are embarking on our top 50 journey
  • the games for the most part are going to be shipped directly from the publishers
  • we have excluded games that we've only played one time
  • crossovers obviously because we share a collection a lot
  • please keep in mind we are not here to sway you one way or the other but we do have to disclose
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video D3EOBmSnNdo Peaky Boardgamer rules teach at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4227 · mention_pk 12351
Peaky Boardgamer - Hanamikoji video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Compact two-player experience (~20 minutes) with elegant, tight decision space
  • Clear rules with a strong emphasis on bluffing and counterplay
  • Portable and accessible once learned
Cons
  • Learning curve due to nuanced tile interactions and hidden information
  • Iconography and terminology can be confusing at first
  • Requires attention to both players' possible actions across all geisha cards
Thematic elements
  • Strategic influence and resource management to win geisha by controlling them through item cards and charm points.
  • Geisha culture in Edo-period Japan; a ceremonial setting with geisha cards in the middle of the table.
  • Bluffing-driven, clean and compact two-player abstract-like flow
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • hand-management — Players manage a hand of item cards and decide when to play them to influence geisha control.
  • hidden_information — Cards can be placed face-down beneath tiles and revealed later during scoring.
  • scoring_and_victory — At scoring, geisha are evaluated by card count and charm points to determine control; victory can occur by geisha control or total charm points.
  • set_presentation_to_opponent — Some actions require offering sets of cards to the opponent, who then selects which set to play.
  • tile-based_action_selection — Players flip action tiles to perform a specific card play; exhausted tiles limit future actions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Hanamikoji is a pure card game
  • a really tiny mini card game for two players to show you it's Hanamikoji
  • the game is played in rounds
  • hanamikoji is a pure card game so before starting with setup
  • the game could last only one round
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video pcBX9Jtrg-w Chairman of the Board general_discussion at 9:36 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1836 · mention_pk 5317
Chairman of the Board - Hanamikoji video thumbnail
Click to watch at 9:36 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • one of the best two-player games ever made
Cons
  • two-player only
Thematic elements
  • two-player selective card play and bluffing
  • Geisha culture in Kyoto
  • deliberate, ritualized
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • hand-management — players select actions to acquire the most valued geisha cards
  • tension-building bluffing — read opponents and time reveals carefully
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • this is the best area control game out there
  • a perfect 10
  • I adore El Grande
  • really nice game I taught this to a complete non-gamer
  • I love Feld games this one is just an absolutely brilliant one
  • it's one of the best two-player games ever made
  • overproduced to say the least
  • one of my favorite dice games and it's actually just broken into my top 100 for the first time
  • the sudden death mechanism where if you are the first player to collect three buildings then you'll instantly win
  • really cool decisions
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video owVDrK0Yv0k Our Games Voices general_discussion at 11:44 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1288 · mention_pk 3780
Our Games Voices - Hanamikoji video thumbnail
Click to watch at 11:44 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • beautiful art and simple to teach
  • thinky despite a compact action set
  • great balance of luck and strategy
  • small footprint and quick play
Cons
  • some readers note readability/readability concerns for certain color schemes (colorblind/readability issues discussed in segment)
Thematic elements
  • geisha favors and ritual competition
  • Geisha district, Edo-period Japan
  • abstract strategy with hidden information
Comparison games
  • Seven Wonders Duel
  • Santorini
  • Five Tribes
  • Lost Cities
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • action-tile sequencing — players select and execute actions in a fixed sequence each round.
  • end-of-round reveal — secret cards are revealed to determine the winner of each geisha.
  • hand management — a small hand of cards is used to influence geisha favors.
  • Hidden Information — secret cards and final end-of-round reveals affect scoring.
  • set collection / scoring by geisha favors — the player with more cards on a geisha's side earns that geisha favor.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Hanamikoji yeah I love this game the first time I saw it the artist beautiful yes and it plays very simple yeah yet thinky yes
  • there's only four actions you can take yes so you don't have to learn many rules but it's so thinky
  • the timing is so important
  • it's thinky like you said because you can't just put the cards you want on your side of the table you have to find a way to get the other player to take something for you
  • this is like a chess match
  • I love this game the first time I saw it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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