双六(すごろく)

すごろく
noun
sugoroku; Japanese board game
leisureentertainment
1. sugoroku; Japanese roll-and-move board game
A traditional Japanese board game where players roll dice and move pieces along a path, often played during New Year celebrations.
お正月(しょうがつ)に家族(かぞく)で双六(すごろく)をした。
We played sugoroku as a family during New Year's.
双六(すごろく)でサイコロを振(ふ)った。
I rolled the dice in sugoroku.
子供(こども)たちが双六(すごろく)を楽(たの)しんでいる。
The children are enjoying playing sugoroku.

Cultural note

双六(すごろく) is a traditional Japanese game, especially popular during the New Year (お正月(しょうがつ)). Modern versions often have themed boards with illustrations.

Types

  • 絵双六(えすごろく) (illustrated sugoroku - most common today)
  • 盤双六(ばんすごろく) (board sugoroku - older version similar to backgammon)

CULTURAL NOTE (how it is played):
Players take turns rolling dice (サイコロ) and move their pieces along the board. Landing on certain spaces may advance or set back the player. The first to reach the goal (上(あ)がり) wins.

Related words

Other traditional New Year games:

Related Words

Related: 凧揚(たこあ)げ (kite flying)
Related: 羽根(はね)つき (Japanese badminton)
Related: かるた (karuta cards)
general
Added 2026.1.19 13:35 · Revised 2026.10.11 21:20
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