Weight loss game

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The beginning of the decrease game

The decrease game , also the decrease, is a thread game (a sequence of figures) for two or more players. In this form of thread play, which is best known in Europe, the aim is to develop new figures from a certain initial image by removing the cord from the other player and taking it into your own hands.

The weight loss game is known all over the world under different names, for example in Hawaii under hei or on Easter Island under kai kai .

origin

A couple playing a Ukiyo-e by Eishosai Choki

This figure probably comes from Japan, where it has been documented in pictures since the Middle Ages. Presumably it was seafarers who then brought it to Europe because it only appears in paintings after the Middle Ages.

description

For this you need a cord about 2 meters long.

Beginning

  • wrap the cord once around each wrist, keeping the long cords parallel
  • you put the middle finger of one hand under the string that runs in front of the palm of the other and pull your hands apart.
  • with the other hand you do the opposite (unlike in the picture, where the left index finger is shown instead of the middle finger)

The original style of play is probably Japanese (middle finger on). But there is also the way of playing with both index fingers, especially in Europe.

mattress

Also called ace of diamonds.

  • you put the thumb and index finger of both hands from the outside through the crossing cords (the thumb must be on one side and the index finger on the other)
  • you pull the crossed cords outwards, past under the parallel cords upwards again, lifting them with you, and pulling your hands apart
  • now you should see a double, framed X.

(From here on, descriptions and pictures have to be added)

Street

Also called mirrors or train tracks or two candles.

  • Reach into the two X's with your thumb and forefinger. (there are two Xs that make a framed X)
  • Pull the gripped threads outwards and guide them through the parallel threads from below.
  • That makes 4 parallel threads.

Cradle

Also called bathtub or cat cradle. Basically, this is the initial upside down figure. In the English-speaking world, the weight loss game is probably called the Cat's Cradle after this figure. The etymology of the English name is controversial, however, Kurt Vonnegut chose Cat's Cradle as the title of a novel.

  • Cross the middle threads with your little fingers and pull them outwards.
  • Then dip your thumb and forefinger through the resulting triangle and pick up the parallel threads from below.
  • Do not let the threads on your little fingers fall

Swept mattress

Looks exactly like the mattress, only fingers point down.

Cat's eye

The cat's eye is formed like the street.

  • Reach into the two Xs from above with your thumb and forefinger.
  • Pull the gripped threads outwards and guide them around the outer threads from below into the center hole.

Pig on the ladder

Also called "the sleeping bear" (the bear stretches all four out of itself.) Or cancer.

Crown / suspenders

Depending on how you remove the pig on the ladder, you come to the crown or the suspenders.

Others

On Easter Island, the weight loss game tells stories that are probably as old as the moais . The stories are only told in Rapanui , not in today's island language, Spanish.

Web links