Name: Kuma-ken in Taragi Town
Start: 2026-11-15
End: 2026-11-15
Location: Taragi Town Exchange Center Ishikura Building A

Kuma-ken in Taragi Town is a distinctive local competition in which players read their opponent’s hand sign to determine the winner. A game that began in the Edo period has been passed down through dedications at the and modern tournaments.

About Kuma-ken in Taragi Town

Kuma-ken in Taragi Town is a traditional game in which players show a hand sign representing a number from 0 to 5, and the player who shows a number one higher than their opponent’s wins.

It is said to have originated when the number-guessing hand game and the sukumi hand game played at drinking parties by lower-ranking samurai of the Hitoyoshi Domain during the Edo period came together. It has been passed down in Taragi Town.

The Taragi Kuma-ken Preservation Society is now working to preserve the tradition. Kuma-ken is offered as a dedication at the reisai, and tournaments are also held.

Source: 多良木町の球磨拳 | くまもと伝承芸能情報サイト

Festival highlights

A highlight is the distinctive mind game of Kuma-ken, in which two opponents face each other and try to read the number shown by the other using only hand signs.

In today’s team matches, players compete in the lead-off, middle, and anchor positions, with teams vying for victory.

Individual matches progress from a preliminary league to a knockout final, while team matches are played by teams of 3.

Source: 大会概要 | 球磨拳世界大会公式サイト

Put your wits into your hand signs and enjoy a traditional contest passed down in Taragi

What to expect

The 2026 tournament schedule indicates that the beginner division will begin with an experience session and a practice session, followed by the individual and team divisions.

The individual division proceeds through an opening ceremony, preliminaries, and the final. In the team division, teams of 3 compete in the lead-off, middle, and anchor positions.

An awards ceremony and closing ceremony are scheduled after the matches.

How to take part

The 2026 tournament has no entry requirements and is open to everyone from children to adults.

There is a beginner-friendly trial category, and you may enter both the individual and team categories.

Spectators are welcome, and walk-in entries on the day are also accepted; however, registration may close if the participant limit is reached.

In 2026, you can apply online, submit an application form in person or by fax, or register at the venue on the day.

You can register for the individual and team categories until the tournament starts. Teams must apply in groups of 3.

The team category costs ¥1,000 per person. Participants of high school age and under enter free.

Check participation details

Location and access

Venue and address

Taragi Town Exchange Center Ishikura, Building A (1542-1 Taragi, Taragi Town, Kuma District, Kumamoto Prefecture).

Train and bus

The nearest station is Taragi Station.

Because part of the Kumagawa Railway is out of service, travel from Hitoyoshi Station to Taragi Station is 안내ed by replacement bus or taxi.

By car

If traveling by expressway, exit at Hitoyoshi IC and take National Route 219 to Taragi Town.

Parking

Free parking is available near the tournament venue.

Source: よくある質問 | 球磨拳世界大会公式サイト

Address 1542-1 Taragi, Taragi, Kuma District, Kumamoto Prefecture

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Dates and season

The 2026 tournament is scheduled for November 15 (Sunday).

Registration for the beginner division opens at 10:30 a.m., followed by an experience session at 11 a.m. and a practice session at 11:30 a.m.

The individual and team divisions will take place in the afternoon, with the awards and closing ceremonies scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

The eve-of-festival celebration will be held separately on November 14 (Saturday).

Accommodation and hotels PR

Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Kumamoto Prefecture / Taragi Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Tips for your visit

In 2026, registration times and entry fees vary by category, so it’s best to decide which category you’ll enter before making plans.

Entries on the day are also accepted, but registration may close if the entry limit is reached.

For public transport, alternative buses and taxis are recommended due to partial railway service disruptions. If driving, you can take National Route 219 from Hitoyoshi IC.

Origins and History of Kuma-ken in Taragi Town

Kuma-ken is said to have begun as a game played at drinking parties by lower-ranking samurai of the Hitoyoshi Domain during the Edo period. It has been passed down as a game combining number-guessing and sukumi hand games.

“Giriken,” the current format for team matches, was devised around Showa 43.

Kuma-ken in Taragi Town was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Taragi Town in Showa 60August 29 and is being passed down by the preservation society.

Official information

Information about the 2026 tournament is available on the official Kuma-ken World Tournament website.

You can find information on the tournament, access, how to apply, and competition formats. The contact point is the Planning and Tourism Division of Taragi Town Hall.

Kuma-ken in Taragi Town at a Glance

Kuma-ken in Taragi Town is a local tradition based on a hand game passed down since the Edo period, enjoyed for its mind games and competition.

While it is offered as a dedication at the reisai, today it is also enjoyed through beginner experiences, individual matches, and team matches with 3 players per team.

The 2026 tournament is open to everyone from children to adults, offering a chance to experience Kuma-ken both as a spectator and as a competitor.