Overview

Onitama is a two-player abstract strategy game set in the Shrine of Onitama in ancient Japan. Players control a Master and four Students on a 5x5 grid, using Move cards that rotate between players to move and capture pieces. Each game uses only 5 of the 16 Move cards, ensuring high replayability. Published by Arcane Wonders, designed by Shimpei Sato.

Components

• 1 rollup game mat (5x5 grid with Temple Arch squares marked)
• 2 Master pawns (1 per color)
• 8 Student pawns (4 per color)
• 16 Move cards (each showing a unique movement pattern)

Setup

1. Place the game mat between both players.
2. Each player takes 5 pawns of one color (1 Master + 4 Students).
3. Place your Master pawn on the Temple Arch square nearest you (center of your back row).
4. Place your 4 Student pawns on the 2 squares on either side of the Master.
5. Shuffle the 16 Move cards. Deal 2 cards face up to each player (their starting hand).
6. Flip one more Move card face up. Check the colored stamp in the lower-right corner – the player whose pawn color matches that stamp goes first.
7. Place this extra card to the right side of the mat (from the first player’s perspective).
8. Return remaining Move cards to the box; they are not used this game.

Turn Structure

Players alternate turns. Each turn has exactly 2 steps:

Step 1: Move and Attack

1. Choose one of your 2 face-up Move cards.
2. Move one of your pawns (Master or Student) according to the movement pattern shown on the card.
   • The black square on the card represents the pawn’s current position.
   • The colored squares show where the pawn can move, relative to its starting position.
   • You can move to any one of the indicated squares.
3. If your pawn lands on a square occupied by an opponent’s pawn, that pawn is captured and removed from the game.

Step 2: Exchange Cards

1. Place the Move card you just used to the left side of the playmat, rotating it 180 degrees to face your opponent.
2. Take the card from the right side of the playmat and add it to your hand.
3. Your opponent’s turn begins.

Actions

• Move: Move one pawn to any position indicated on the chosen Move card.
• Capture: Landing on an opponent’s pawn removes it from the game.
• Pass (forced): If you cannot make any legal move with either card, you must still choose a card, perform the exchange (Step 2), but no pawn moves.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

There are two paths to victory:

Victory Path	Description
Way of the Stone	Capture your opponent’s Master pawn
Way of the Stream	Move your own Master pawn onto your opponent’s Temple Arch square

The game ends immediately when either condition is met.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• You cannot move a pawn off the board.
• You cannot move a pawn onto a square occupied by one of your own pawns.
• Other pawns (yours or opponent’s) and Temple Arches do not block movement through spaces. You only capture by landing on a piece, not by moving over/through it.
• If you have a legal move available, you must take it – even if you do not want to.
• Only if no legal move exists with either card may you pass your turn, but you must still exchange a card.
• Each game uses only 5 of the 16 Move cards, creating different tactical situations each game.

Player Reference

16 Move Cards (movement patterns):

Card	Notable Pattern
Cobra	Forward 1, or left/right 1
Rabbit	Speed-focused diagonal moves
Rooster	Side-to-side diagonal strikes
Eel	Fluid flanking moves
Frog	Stream-like leaping
Horse	Straight and diagonal
Goose	Wide spreading pattern
Boar	Forward rush
Monkey	Deceptive diagonal
Crane	Graceful centered strikes
Crab	Wide lateral sweep
Elephant	Strong forward push
Mantis	Deceptive close strikes
+ 3 more	Varies per edition

Turn: Choose card → Move/Capture → Exchange card

Win: Capture enemy Master OR move your Master to enemy Temple Arch