Monday, July 7, 2008

Who knew magnets could be so fun?

Ok, when I first saw Jishaku I had a moment where I thought to myself "What is so great about a bunch of magnets and a foam mat?" but I watched the video of people playing and I those hematite magnets reminded me of my obsession with hematite jewelry all through high school so I figured we would give it a shot.

When Jishaku arrived I had another moment of doubt when I saw the foam playing board as it seemed awfully basic, especially in a house where the more elaborate the board game the better seems to be the common theme. Again though those shiny magnets, which to note are amazingly strong, were just too pretty to resist. I finally wrangled one of my cousins to give it go with me, and we both found ourselves giggling.

Depending on the type of game you play the rounds are fairly fast and intelligence certainly will give you an unfair upper hand with this game, but two equally matched players could drag them out longer. The magnets are on the level of "super hero" strong but if you know anything about magnets and how they attract you can really win a game at super fast speed, though don't come looking for me whenever your opponent figures out the secret and lays one on you.

Though I personally think Jishaku is best played with two players its super fun to play as a team and really no matter how many times I play it still makes me jump when the magnets collide especially if you are unlucky enough to attract half the board in one single move. Thats really half the fun of the game is watching the other player flinch or squeal when magnets come flying at them. I will warn you in advance they are more than strong enough to come off the playing mat if you hover for just a second too long trying to decide where to put your piece. This is especially fun as the reaction is usually one that will cause the player to drop the magnet and in turn end up with pretty much every magnet on the board. Depending on what version of game play your using, the point of the game is to either get all the magnets or end up with zero magnets.

My last recommendation is for parents only. Jishaku is fun for the kids, but really the most entertaining way to play it in my opinion is with a bunch of drunken adults, or even as a drinking game. Ok, maybe thats not a family friendly statement but parents need a little recreation too. heh. Also please note that Jishaku is for players 8yrs and up. Though I did make an awful joke about if Connor ate the magnets we could just stick him to the fridge, thats not something you want to do and they are just the right size for toddlers to swallow. Its best to wait till the little ones go to bed before you play!

Jishaku is available directly on their website as well as on Amazon! If you make the purchase directly from the website use the coupon code : 7dogs to get 10% off your purchase!

Jishaku was kind enough to give us a copy to give away to one lucky reader!


To enter :

  • Leave a comment on this post. Head on over to Jishaku and look at the game rules, they are found under "What is Jishaku". Tell us which version of the game you would most like to play and why.
  • No "i want to win" stuff without a little effort (and I do mean little!)
  • Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
  • Please US entries only.
  • To get extra credit :
    • For an extra entry :
    • Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
    • Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
    • One extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
    • This contest will end July 15th at midnight!

157 Comments:

Anonymous said...

I think we'd play the elimination version, the men in my family love that sorta knock each other out sort of gaming, and I sorta like it too.
mitanari@yahoo.com

Meredith said...

This sounds like a new type of fun and qualifying purchases over $25 ship mfree at Amazon!

Hetal said...

I tried but could not find any version..just board game. Anyway, even with little effort, I will have to say, I would love to win:).

Anonymous said...

I would like to play elimination I think.

bmorin54@excite.com

jceko77 said...

I think my family would play the "I'm Out" version the most.
jceko77@yahoo.com

Fangirl Jen said...

I think I'd like to try Round-Up. It uses the magnets more as attractors and not simple game pieces.

jceko77 said...

I'm a subscriber
jceko77@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

angelina115@hotmail.com

elimintaion one

seems like a blast

Anonymous said...

meza-angel@sbcglobal.net

i am not sure. i never heard of the game.

Anonymous said...

joliexox@hotmail.com

i plan to give it to my grandson. i am not going to play it, i'm too old. ;)

michelle said...

I like the sounds of the "I'm Out!" vesion. It reminds me of the game Aggravation, where just when you think you have won the game, something happens and you end up having to do even more to finish.

michelle at northofthe49 dot com

Miss Spoken said...

We'd probably start with the "I'm Out" version until our skill level improved. Looks like a great game to travel with.
gkstratos@ yahoo.com

Miss Spoken said...

Also a subscriber. Thanks!
gkstratos@ yahoo.com

avisiontoremember said...

I think that this game sounds really great. We love games, especially strategy games. I think that we would love to play either elimination or I'm out. This is probably a bad thing to say but I will purchase this game if I don't win it. email boblyns at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Roundup sounds fun! And I always loved magnets and rocks, so this looks like my kind of game. I have to say I always say they're "bored" games. But I would definitely play this one! I'd love to win it and have some friends over for a night of Jishaku. And Saki. Haha!
themommyspot(at)gmail(dot)com

Peter Schott said...

I like the "Roundup" rules. I get the feeling that would go over well with my daughter.

Kimberly said...

The way they described "I'm Out" sounds like fun and it sounds easy enough for both my kids to understand too.

I think this is a very unique looking game. I like that it's so much different then board games with all those little pieces that you can lose.

Thanks for the great prize giveaway.

Kimberly
HunnyV "at" Optonline "dot" net

misty said...

Definetly the elimination style. Thanks so much for the opportunity.

planetmisty at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would like to do the round up version! Sounds like great fun! A game my family would really enjoy!
emcdonald@interiority.org

peg42 said...

This game sounds like so much fun. I like the "You're out" version. It sounds fairly easy, so that everyone in the family can play. Thanks so much and please enter me.

JenO said...

round up, we could increase the number of points needed and play longer.

Anonymous said...

I'm out sounds like a version my family would enjoy.

samsakara@twcny.rr.com

sphinx63 said...

I think we'd like to try I'm Out first, because it looks like the easiest. Then we would try the others. Thanks!

Beth @ TheAngelForever said...

The I'm Out version looks neat to play with my son or husband. Thanks for the great giveaway :)

Beth @ TheAngelForever said...

Extra Credit: I subscribe to your feed in my Google Reader :)

Mary512 said...

I like game 3, 'Roundup'. Sounds like fun. Great giveaway, thanks!

Mary512 said...

Blogged ya:
http://mommyland512.blogspot.com/2008/07/win-copy-of-city-of-men-on-dvd.html
Thanks again!

triciacus said...

This one looks easy enough GAME #1 – I’m Out!

js22 said...

I’m Out! sounds like the easiest version of the game. I'd be playing with a 12-year old with a short attention span. Rules are short and sweet - so we would be able to get thru the rules and a game pretty quickly!

Unknown said...

I would want to try Elimination! It seems like a sort of reverse Operation. Thanks for offering this contest.

Cheryl S said...

I think we would prefer "roundup" in my family. My son loves any game where he gets to "CAPTURE!" an opponent.

cshuler(at)zoominternet(dot) net

Sonya Cocherell said...

I think round up would be fun to try. I've been seeing a lot about this game. I appreciate you offering it.

phxbne said...

The Round Up version sounds fun to me!

mverno said...

the elimination version

Princess Golden Hair said...

I live in a house filled with male testosterone. so probably if we didn't play the elimination version they'd take their ball and run away

Unknown said...

I know that my family would most enjoy the "I'm Out!" version. It seems to be the type of competition my family would love the most. It was hard to pick which version we would enjoy the most b/c, in all honesty, all versions will be played! My email is cnmadd@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I would like to play Roundup..It all sounds fun but this especially appealled to me.

kygirl said...

This would be fun for all the family.

Donna said...

I would love to win this thanks!

Kristie said...

I like the sounds of the "I'm Out!" version, mostly just because it sounds like fun! :)
khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com

haomom said...

sounds like fun,
i would pick the elimination version,thanks

Tonya said...

The elimination version would be the most fun I think.

Jacqueline in Atlanta said...

I'm sure my competive little bunch would play the Elimination version. Sounds fun. When my husband was laid off a few years ago, the first thing we did was cut off the cable TV to save money. We rediscovered playing family games. Of course, we eventually got the cable back, we still enjoy the games.

I have two teenagers, so they might try the baby on the fridge game, too. (just kidding!)

Thanks for the giveaway.

susan1215 said...

I like the elimination version

Anonymous said...

Well I think Roundup looks fun especially since we would play it as a family and I don't want Mr. Man crying and whining in front of my son if he were to get "Eliminated".

"a bunch of drunken adults", huh? keehee.

Anonymous said...

Seven Dogs and A Baby in sidebar!

chromiumman said...

the i'm out version, i think

mtnarky said...

I saw the board game. It looks great.

janetfaye said...

I would like to play Roundup version of the game because it is strategic because you get points for making a capture.

janetfaye said...

I subscribed to your feed

Hootyboosmom said...

I think the "I'm Out" version sounds fun! Great giveaway! Thanks for offering it!
~Tanya
the4moyers(at)msn(dot)com

windycindy said...

Hi, Our family loves unique games. This one sounds like a challenge and a lot of fun! I would start out with the "I'm Out" version. A very neat game with teaching of magnetics and the north/south magnetic force. Please enter me in your drawing.
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

denyse said...

Elimination. Thanks for the chance to win!

Kari said...

I think the Elimination version would be our top pick, looks like something the entire family would really enjoy!

katylinvw said...

i think that we would usually play either the "I'm Out" version or the "Roundup" version - different versions for different people depending upon who we were playing with :)

katylinvw@yahoo.com

tatertot374 said...

I think we would play Round up. Sounds like a fun for the whole family! thank you

LINDALSHOT said...

Elimination

Elena said...

I think #2, Elimination, would be the version we'd play most often. I'd like to try them all, though! Thanks for the contest, sounds like a great travel game!

Carolyn said...

I think Roundup sounds the most challenging. My daughter is fascinated with magnets and science. This is so her thing. cbdileo@rock.com

mdog said...

Interesting concept - I think we would try the "I'm out" and then build on from there. Thanks for introduction to the game!

Anonymous said...

We would probably play The I'm Out version the most.

Anonymous said...

I think the "I'm Out!" version would be fun to try to get rid of all of your pieces... thanks!

ticole96(at)msn(dot)com

mogrill said...

I would love the Round Up! Sounds fun

jennem said...

Roundup. DH and I are looking for something to do in the evenings rather than watch TV. This version seems the most fun to me.

Unknown said...

I guess I'd like to try Game #1--I'm Out first, but I'm also intrigued by game #3--Round Up.

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

The game looks like a thinking game that I would love to try.

Robyn Wright of Robyn's Online World said...

I think I would like #1 - I'm Out the best. Everyone should watch the video for the game which really explains it.

Robyn Wright of Robyn's Online World said...

I've also linked to you http://robynsonlineworld.blogspot.com/2008/07/great-blog-found-from-giveaways.html

Genevieve P said...

"I'm Out!" sounds like great fun! My husband and I--and maybe our oldest daughter already--would have great fun with this.

louiseb130 said...

The elimination version.

Brn2lisn said...

I would have to say we would probably want to play Im Out - we like strategy games. This sounds like it would be a hoot to play. Thank you

maweisberg said...

i want to win

Julie Donahue said...

I think we'd play elimination.

My son loves magnets and board games. This is a great combo.

dhunt said...

elimintaion one

toasters lie said...

Round-up

CJW's folks said...

I think elimination!

kristilb19 said...

Elimination sounds fun!

Prek Noey said...

My family loves to play games and new games, this would be awesome.

melonkelli said...

We'd play Game #1 -- I'm Out.

Anonymous said...

i like the idea of making it a drinking game

Kimmy said...

I'd start with I'm out, just to get a feel of the game, but would definately play the other ways too. Looks like fun!

miriama said...

Roundup because it would work best for our family!

agordon10 said...

Roundup seems best for the kids.

lace said...

This sounds like such a fun game. I would probably play the original game. Not getting the magnets to touch sounds very challenging.

matternu said...

I think this is so neat and different, I know we would play all of the games and see which one we find the best for us ,we would try I'm Out first and go from there. Count me in to win,we love games and won't lose the pieces!!

Alexia said...

We'd probably end up playing the elimination version bc there are lots of people in my family and we'd all want to play at the same time!

Tracey said...

I would have to say elimination. It sounds the easiest to start with. I loved the history of this game. I actually learned something.

amyparsons1@yahoo.com said...

I would enjoy playing "i'm out" with my children. I am always intrigued by strategy games to hone my children's skills.

Anonymous said...

I would like to try Elimination because it would require some thinking and some luck. That would appeal to my hubby and I and our teenagers.

doot65[at]comcast[dot]net

judybrittle said...

The elimination version for me.

judybrittle said...

i'm subscribed

bison61 said...

I'd play I'm out-easy to understand, I think the kids would enjoy this

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Jayfr said...

The "I'm Out" version looks like the best place to start with the kids.

Angela said...

I suppose we would start with "I'm Out" and take it from there. I can even see us coming up with some different games ourselves. Looks very cool.

chuchita said...

I would play I'm out. Thanks for the opportunity.
chuchita harzmanc@gmail.com

Belinda said...

Roundup sounds like the most fun. It would be fun to roundup everyone else's pieces.

1bmore @ gmail . com

Eryn said...

Round up sounds like so much fun. I can already hear the friendly family rivalry going as you quickly set the board up for the next round. This version looks fun because you want to suck up as many magnets as possible, so it looks like it would quickly.

Candie L said...

i LIKE THE the simple Im Out. It is easy enough to teache the younger ones, but it will also give the adults a chance to think too

blandmj said...

I would like to play I'm out. You have to collect all connecting magnets on your turn and that is a BAD thing since you are trying to get rid of all your magnets! Thanks so much for the chance to win!

robt6 said...

The I'm out seems like a good way start.

Anonymous said...

We'd play I'm out for starters.

Anonymous said...

I blogged this on A Contest Blog at http://acontestblog.com/index.php/2008/seven-dogs-and-a-baby-jishaku-giveaway/

Christy said...

I'd play "I'm Out" - no score keeping! This looks like fun. =}

SeahorseLady said...

"I'm Out" sounds like fun. Looks like a great family game. Thank you for the nice giveaway.

jodene said...

i like the roundup - sounds like a fun game.

Belinda said...

I love the sounds of this game! 'I'm Out' sounds like the quickest version to grasp; my seven-year-old nephew and I could start with this and then progress . . .
belinda_streak(at)hotmail(dot)com

Belinda said...

I love the sounds of this game! 'I'm Out' sounds like the quickest version to grasp; my seven-year-old nephew and I could start with this and then progress . . .
belinda_streak(at)hotmail(dot)com

Belinda said...

I'm subscribed via email to your feed:
belinda_streak(at)hotmail(dot)com

Amie Mattson said...

I would like to try the "I'm Out" Seems a little easier for my son to understand. We are always on the lookout for new games.

cdrury said...

Would love to win this - thanks!!!
The "I'm Out" sounds like a fun version!

Tammy said...

I think we'd enjoy the I'm Out version!

Unknown said...

I'd play "I'm Out" game, it seems like a most fun version.
Thanks :)

Stanza Rae said...

I think the females in the family would like the "I'm out" version but knowing the males they would do "Elimination".

Thank you.

Kathleen said...

Gotta start with I'm Out -- my daughter is 6 and hates to lose, particularly when she doesn't quite understand the rules.

esper_d said...

I guess the I'm Out one looks the easiest and I would want to start easy.

Trish said...

elimination

Anonymous said...

Elimination style sounds like what we would like to play around here. We love strategy games and this would make a great addition to the game closet.
missc_melanie@yahoo.com

pitaharmon said...

I'm out sounds easy enough. (those darn kids will beat me every time, who am I kidding)...at least I'm a good loser.

ChrysKJ said...

The "I'm Out" version sounds fun.

Unknown said...

sounds like fun and it sounds easy

Unknown said...

I'd like to play "I'm Out"...it's like the magnetic version of "Rummy"

Anonymous said...

roundup is the best!

PowerSweepstaking said...

Read about this game on several sites and would love it, the I'm out version of the game sounds best.

Anonymous said...

I'm in for "I'm Out" because the game can be enjoyed by many ages and is easily stored.

retc said...

I'm Out sounds like fun. Sort of like a variation on Jenga.

camper223 said...

GAME #2 – Elimination
My children like to challenge each other trying to improve their skills so I think they would like this game.
Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I'm out

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Jinxy and Me said...

I think "I'm Out" sounds good to start.

Denice said...

OMG ... what a great idea for a game. Love all the versions but think the teens would go for ROUND UP.

Anonymous said...

I think the I'm Out version of the game looks like fun.
beccachristensen at hotmail dot com

kananee said...

I'm Out sounds like the easiest, so we'll start with that and then work our way up!

Crystal F said...

Roundup sounds the best to me. I like the strategy of it. You have to think of where to put the magnet to attract the other magnets to yours. Sounds really fun! Thank you!

Molly C. said...

I would definately would play I'm Out, with my oldest. This looks like a fun game!

Samantha P said...

the elimination game sounds like fun!

Samantha P said...

i'm also a subscriber!

Unknown said...

I think we would play Elimination because it seems to be the most challenging. garrettsambo@aol.com

Brooke said...

We'd start with "I'm Out" then move on!

klp1965 said...

roundup sounds like alot of fun :)

carissaad said...

I would like to play "I'm Out" because it seems more challenging.

Thanks!

carissaad at aol dot com

carissaad said...

I'm a subscriber.

SECAVEN said...

well.......i'm going to have to say the "i'm out" version. it looks like it would be the most fun and easy enough for the whole family to enjoy. i would love to play the other versions also. unique game and definitely willing to give it a try. soon - i hope!

Anonymous said...

Elimanation looks like fun and looks like the easiest to learn when you are first starting out.

penguinchick@comcast.net

ssmina said...

please enter me thank you

ssmina said...

please enter me thank you

Unknown said...

Roundup sounds like a lot of fun!

Unknown said...

i also subscribe!

Lisa said...

I think we would start with I'm Out because it looks the easiest.

Suz said...

I'd like to play the I'm Out version. This game looks so fun!

Sareen said...

it would be round up for me! japansara (at) hotmail

ldrnc2000 said...

We would play round up because it includes three players- my two boys and a parent!

Bakersdozen said...

I would say "I'm Out" because there is probably a good reason why it is considered the most popular version. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

mrstrooper said...

The Elimination versions...my family would love this game!

Donna said...

I would like to play elimination. I am subscribed.

masonsgranny59 said...

The Round Up version sounds fun to me!:)

Starshine3 said...

My family would probably enjoy the Elimination version best ^_^ We're all pretty competitive, and that version seems to cater more to competition. Thanks!

Rockin' Mama said...

"Round Up" looks interesting!

jasonncaryn at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I think that I would like to play the I'm Out! version of the game. I am interested in everything about Japan right now and this game would be wonderful.
kathleenyohanna@hotmail.com

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