Jishaku Magnetic Board Game
The game of magnetic action.
Videos
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In Jishaku, your goal is to place all of your magnetic stones on the board without any of them touching. It's much harder than it looks.
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Do your best to place your stone without attracting any other magnets. Good luck. You will need it.
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Jishaku includes eighteen super-strong magnetic stones.
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Jishaku includes 18 magnetic stones, cloth storage bag, and plastic/foam game base.
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Watch video for: Jishaku Magnetic Board Game- Please note that the Jishaku contest mentioned in the video is closed.
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Video: Can You Play This Game Without Instructions?
Overview
Master the art of magnetic attraction with Jishaku, the strategic boardgame.
Your goal is to place all of your magnetic "stones" on the Jishaku board without any of them touching each other. This is simple at first, but becomes increasingly challenging as the board fills up. Stones will twist, turn, and jump as you search for a safe location. Make a mistake and a flurry of magnetic action will end with a half dozen stones stuck together.
Due to the small magnets, Jishaku is recommended for ages 14+. Designed for one or more players.
For people who like:
Features & specs
- Board dimensions: 9.75" x 6" x 2"
- 1+ players
- Includes 18 magnetic stones, storage bag, game board
- Recommended for ages 14+
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Notes on this video
- Please note that the Jishaku contest mentioned in the video is closed.
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Jishaku: the game of magnetic action
Jishaku is a simple, yet addictive magnetic boardgame for one or more players. Essentially, your goal is to place all of your magnetic stones onto the game board without any of them touching each other.
Sounds simple, right? Not so fast. The magnetic stones are extremely strong and can easily fly across the board when attracted to each other.
In Jishaku, your goal is to place all of your magnetic stones on the board without any of them touching.
It's much harder than it looks.
Jishaku is mega-tough
As you hold your stone above the Jishaku board, you may feel the magnetic attraction of other pieces. Some may begin to twist and turn in place.
Use these clues to determine how to orient your stone and prevent two or more magnets from "jumping" together. It's incredibly easy for a domino effect to occur where suddenly four or five magnets end up stuck together.
Whenever you are unable to place a stone safely, you must remove the clump of magnets and add them back to your pile of stones. Whoever places all of their stones safely on the Jishaku board first wins.
Do your best to place your stone without attracting any other magnets. Good luck. You will need it.
A game of strategy, crazy magnetic action
Jishaku is like chess, but without the strange piece movements, timers, and creepy Russian nerds. OK, it's not much like chess at all. Still, Jishaku requires a lot of strategy and skill.
As you "feel" where you'd like to place a piece, it's quite common for other stones to quickly spin or shift as they respond to the attraction or repulsion of your magnet. This can cause a rapid cascade of magnetic action on other areas of the board. Before you know it, five stones have snapped together. Jishaku is a simple, exciting, and often frustrating game.
Jishaku includes eighteen super-strong magnetic stones.
What's in the box
Jishaku includes a draw-string storage bag, 9" x 6" game board, and 18 magnetic stones.
Burning Questions: You Ask and We Answer
Burning Questions: You ask and we answer!
Your questions that have been answered by the Vat19.com staff:
What was the prize for the contest?
It was a set of Buckyballs.
I know the contest is over.. but i have to ask was there any cheating? and was this backbreacking to do? i saw the "sorry, no prizes" thing when there no coments.. Thanks
The person who submitted the winning video did not cheat and showed us each step of his attempt in one continuous take.
Why was the contest closed ...?
Because it's over and a winner was chosen. Contests don't last forever.
What kind of magnets are they?
They're strong hematite magnets.
Would this be safe to put in my carry-on at the airport if I want to take it with me on the plane?
You should ask the TSA rather than us. It shouldn't be a problem, but we don't want to tell you one thing only for you to learn the opposite once you reach security.
What was the prize?
The prize was a set of BuckyBalls. Sadly, the contest is now closed.
I dont have a youtube account. If I do get all the stones in, can I mail it to you or something?
Sure, you can videotape yourself completing the puzzle and then mail us the DVD. Of course, signing up with YouTube is free.
Has anyone sent you a video yet ?
Yes, we have already had a winner and the contest has since been closed.
What does "Jishaku" mean?
"Jishaku" is the Japanese word for magnet.
I am from India can i still buy stuff from your website?
Yes, we ship internationally.
Is it possible to be done since the magnets are so strong??
Yes, it is possible, although insanely difficult.
What was the price that the winner got? I am very interested in that and the Swordquest mystery.
We've been pretty open about it, as previous questions will show. The prize we gave away was a set of Buckyballs. As for the Swordquest loot, that was very likely stolen by an Atari executive.
Why only 14+? I'm 9 and i would never take the magnets for lunch.
I'm sorry, but magnets are one thing we take very seriously here at Vat19. Not a year goes by where we don't hear about some kid who swallowed magnets who was old enough to know better.
Is it possible to De-Magnitize the magnets?
The magnets may lose their magnetism over time, but it takes years and years. There are a few other mitigating factors besides time that could demagnetize the stones as well. For example, keeping them on metal (like a metal shelf) could demagnetize them, as could extreme heat.
where do i purchase replacement magnet's?
I'm sorry, but replacement magnets are not currently available for sale. You'll just have to be careful with the ones you have.
Has any of the employees at vat19 put all the magnetic stones into all the slots.
A few of us have managed to do it, but it's NOT easy!
If I am outside of the US, am I still eligible for the prize (I'm in Australia)? And is the prize gummy-related?
It might be, it might not. ;) But to answer your first question, yes, you are eligible to win.
Did anyone win the prize?
Yes, we did have a winner several years ago. The contest has since ended.
How much does this game weigh if brought as luggage?
The entire set weighs approximately 24 ounces.
could the jishaku be used as a magnet to hang papers up?
Yes, the stones can be used as regular magnets, though for safety reasons the manufacturer recommends that individuals follow the safety guidelines as they pertain to the game.
Is this game available in other flavors? (colors)
Nope, just in the black and blue colors you see here.
What was the toy you get from beating it?
It was a set of Buckyballs.
Did any of Vat19 staff complete the challenge?
We have! Now it's up to you!
Are the hematite magnets weaker than rare earth magnets?
They're pretty similar in terms of strength, actually.
I'm from the uk can I still buy stuff from your website?
Yes, we ship internationally.
I'm 13 can I buy it?
We strongly recommend that Jishaku only be given to players over the age of 14. With parental supervision, however, you should be okay.
How will you win the game?
To win the game, the player must place all of the magnetic stones on the board without causing them to attract one another. Trust me, it's harder than it sounds!
If I wash the magnets will they still be magnetic?
Yes. You can't wash away a magnet's magnetic field.
Can I order more magnets? I lost one!
I'm sorry but we do not sell individual magnets.
Is the contest still available?
No. The contest ended years ago. We actually mention this directly beneath the video.
Where can I find the video of the person placing all the magnets without any connecting?
It's on YouTube. Just look up "Jishaku Challenge".
Are the magnets safe?
As long as you don't swallow them, yes.
Could it ship to singapore?
Yes. All of the countries we offer shipping to are listed here.
Now how long has it been sinc the contest was over?
Nearly two years now.
What does it mean by the magnets having a north and south pole? :)
All magnets have two magnetic poles; one north and one south. If two of the same pole are facing each other, the magnets will repel one another.
What is the gift?
It was a free set of Buckyballs, however the contest is now closed.
What is the board made out of?
The board itself is made out of plastic and the interior is filled with a blue foam.
Can I see the link to the solve for this?
It's not so much a puzzle as it is a strategy game, so there is not a "solution", per say.
What are the dimensions of the magnetic stones?
They are all slightly different in shape and size, but they're all about 1" long and 0.5" thick.
Do the magnets connect to anything else?
Of course. They're magnets!
Seriously, it looks so easy but I might be wrong. Is it much harder than I think it is?
Much, much harder than you think. I've been fiddling with one for a few years and I've only managed to align all the magnets twice.
Roughly how close do the stones have to be to notice the pull? Like an inch? Couple of centimeters? 3.8 miles?
About an inch or so. Incidentally, it's the same distance at which they are placed on the board.
Do you ship to the United Kingdom?
Yes, we ship internationally.
When was the contest over?
The contest ended a little over a year ago.
So if I actually win the contest right now would it count for a prize?
Sorry, but the contest ended quite some time ago.
is a jishaku magnet pieces call magnetite?
Actually, the pieces are hematite, not magnetite.
Can it be used as magnet?
Yes, the pieces can be used as magnets (since that's what they are).
I have a Qman i got from discovery place, can i use that?
I don't think it will really work the same way. I suppose you could invent an alternative game using Q-Man Magnets.
will Magnetic Thinking Putty comsume the magnets?
While the Jishaku magnets are not as strong as the magnet that comes with the putty, you should still get some reaction between the two.
i have two things, 1 are you serious about the prize and 2 what is the prize
We were serious about the prize, but the contest has since ended.
Could you use the magnets with the Magnetic Thinking Putty?
Yep! The Jishaku magnets are not as strong as the magnet included with the Thinking Putty, but they will still work.
How strong are the magnets.
These are very strong hematite magnets, which is what makes the game so challenging!
Can we bring jishaku on the airplane? Will the magnets be allowed?
Possibly but it would take up an enormous amount of room on the airplane.
How many colors of foam of this game? I need yellow foam or gold foam. I see the blue on this webiste
Jishaku is only available in blue.
Why is the contest off?
Because we already had a winner.
Will you really send a prize to someone who gets all the magnets on the board.
We already did. As the video states, the contest is closed.
I put all the stones without connecting if I send you the picture what will I get
Nothing, as the contest has been closed for over a year now. Congratulations, though!
Are they made out of Neodymium?
They're pretty dang strong, but they are not neodymium. In fact, they are highly polished hematite stones.
does the magnets have the north and south pole signs on each side
Yes, all magnets have a north and south pole. Jishaku magnets do not have any markings on them to indicate which side is which, however.
How do I know that this isn't a game that I'll play with for a few times and then get bored?
While we can't guarantee that it will keep your interest if you have a naturally short attention span, we think that Jishaku will keep you coming back because there isn't really a "trick" to it.
Has anyone beat jishaku and send u guys a video?
Yes, we had a couple winners while the contest was still running. It has since been closed.
If two persons play, how long does the game last? (I guess at one point the board clears up and the oponent has a lot of free space to place his last pieces. Does the game last 3 to 4 minutes? Or how much time does the game take to end? (avarage)
It all depends on the players, and how carefully they like to think out their moves. I would estimate a game takes 5-10 minutes.
hey vat19 i know a way to practice a 1 player thing. order this and buckyballs and use those to practice then use the actual magnets
Interesting idea, but BuckyBalls probably wouldn't behave the same way as the hematite stones that come with the game.
Can you get the prize even if two people help?
I suppose so, but there will only be one prize, so you'll have to share.
is the foam easily punctured or damaged with regular use
If used as intended, you shouldn't experience any punctures or noticeable damage.
How strong are the magnets, Are they neodynium?
They're pretty dang strong, but they are not neodymium. In fact, they are highly polished hematite stones.
How long would this Jik-ass thing last for, would the magnets lose their magnetic field?
While it is possible for magnets to lose their magnetic fields, it typically occurs in three common ways: heat, exposure fo a demagnetizing field and via shock. Using this game as directed should not result in noticeable loss of the magnetic field.
Are they brittle?
The magnets are not as brittle as neodymium, but they can be broken if you drop them onto hard surfaces.
Can The Magnets Stick With Them Q-Men? Test It Out To Make Sure! ~Alex
There's no need to test this since magnets are always attracted to one another. There's no such thing as a picky magnet.
How many people sent you videos of them completing it? And, will you guys do the contest again?
We received dozens and dozens of video replies; in fact, we still receive them to this very day! We do not intend on running the contest again.
What kind of magnets?
The Jishaku pieces are made of hematite.
What is the prize if you win?
It was a set of BuckyBalls. Unfortunately the contest ended several years ago (as we mention on the page) so there are no longer any prizes being awarded.
I am a little confused. I downloaded the instruction manual and it says 2+ players (but vat19 says 1+) and the manual says age 8+ and vat19 says 14+ and the website in the manual don't work. www.playjishaku.com
How many players you want to have is completely up to you. As for the age limit, we stick by 14 and up solely because of our past experiences with children and magnets (look up Buckyballs online if you're curious).
Is the contest still going on?
No. The contest had its winner and has since been ended.
Will there be another contest?
To put it simply: no. This contest was a one time event. It's possible there may be future contests of some sort, but there is nothing set in stone.
What is the material of the game base? What about the blue stuff where the magnetic stones are placed? And also, are you Rick? If so..... HI RICK
Plastic and foam, respectively. Howdy!
What does cross-promo mean?
Cross-Promo is short for cross promotion. A cross-promo is any time we work another product we sell into the video of a different product.
Will you really send us a prize? If so, what?
Sorry, but the contest has already ended. We did have a winner and they were given a free set of BuckyBalls.
A legit prize? Awesome, I may buy this just to try it for that....what is the prize?
I'm sorry but the contest is closed and the prize is no longer up for grabs.
Will the prize be an on-going thing? I think this is an awesome, awesome thing you guys are doing! :D
Thanks! Unfortunately, we cannot keep the contest open forever. Submissions must be sent in before August 31, 2010.
Can you just tell me if the prize is an item from your website?? Please?
Yes, the prize will be something from Vat19.com.
How strong is the magnet exactly?
Strong enough to attract one another from several inches away. These hematite magnets are intended to be used as toys and are not high-powered magnets.
will you do similar contests for other products in the future?
Maybe! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and especially our newsletter, as those are the places where we usually announce giveaways and contests.
Do the magnets leave black resadue on your skin?
Nope! They're polished smooth and will not leave any marks or residue behind.
Can you make a miniature version of this that would be epic?
I don't know if a miniature version would work as well, honestly.
I know the contest is closed but what was the prize?
It was a set of Buckyballs.
I just bought the thing, and think I could complete the puzzle. Do you think I could get the prize if I do it?
We'd definitely applaud your completion, but unfortunately the contest has been closed.
How many sheets of paper do the 1 magnet hold?
We don't have any loose magnets to experiment with, but they're pretty dang strong! They should easily be able to hold several sheets of paper.
Aren't the magnets hematite?
That is correct!
is it actually possible to get all of the magnetic peices on the bored?
It's definitely possible, but it's far from easy.
2 questions: 1. are you japanese? 2. is this vat19-made or retailer product?
1) No. 2) We are not the manufacturer of Jishaku. We're a retailer.
how do you play it
Basically, you try to place all of the magnets on the "board" without any of them touching. The strong magnetic forces of the magnets makes this pretty difficult.
Can the prize still be won?
No. The contest ended several years ago when we chose a winner.
Can I play with extra magnetic stones?
How? There aren't enough spaces for more pieces, and adding more magnets wouldn't really accomplish anything.
Wasnt this discontinued
We were out of stock for a while, but we've got them back and available for purchase now, so buy, buy, buy!
Is it hard.. seriously?
I wouldn't say it's "seriously hard" or anything like that, but Jishaku does offer a considerable challenge.
How do you get the game jishaku?
By placing an order right here on Vat19.com!
I want to get this or Khet. I dont have friends or siblings, so this game would be good, but when you beat it, the fun is over. What do I do?
You can try different patterns, time trials, or even blindfolded if you're really hardcore!
can this be played in an airplane? Is it portable and convenient?
The manufacturer states that they have been able to take Jishaku on a plane with no problems. Although, it's not as easily portable as, say, Kanoodle.
IF I actually won, what will be the prize
The contest has been over for almost 6 years. Sorry!
What are the magnets made out of?
They're hematite magnets.
Will you bee putting replacement magnets for sale?
No, we do not sell replacement magnets. You'll just have to try to not lose them.
Do the contest again!
I'm sorry, but we do not intend to run the contest again.
Couldn't I simply take a ridged foam mattress and some magnetic stones and put them in a box with those dimensions to make this product for a fraction of the price?
Egg crate mattress foam isn't sold in small chunks, and last I checked you would have to drop at least $30 at most stores for a roll. That of course does not include the price of hematite stones, which aren't exactly free either. So I would say no, no you couldn't.
Is there a strategy to it?
Yes, there is.
Has anyone completed it and sent you guys the video for a prize? What is the prize if you can do it?
Yes, we did have a winner. However, the contest is now closed so we are no longer awarding prizes. But that doesn't mean you still can't try to complete the challenge!
Is there any specific way to cheat? Whenever I play a game I also watch out for what my opponents are doing.
I can't really think of any way that someone could cheat in a multi-player game of Jishaku. Unless they pull the old, "Hey, look at that over there!" and switch around pieces while you aren't looking.
How strong are the magnets?
Strong enough to make this game very difficult!
Can't you just get the foam from shipping computers and get the same magnets used?
You'd still be spending about the same amount of money, maybe even a little more, by buying the parts separately.
If I connect stones but the stone I'm putting on doesnt connect do I take the stones?
Actually, your goal is to place all of your magnetic "stones" on the Jishaku board without any of them touching each other.
do we have to order from here in order to win the prize? I already have this game and that's my biggest concern..
Nope, a purchase from us is not necessary.
How many slots are there on the gameboard?
There are 18 slots on the game board - one for each magnetic stone.
Who won the prize?
We can't give out their name, but they went home with an awesome set of BuckyBalls!
I am aware the contest is closed, and the prize was "nabbed"... but I just have to ask what was the prize?
The prize was a set of BuckyBalls.
HAs anyone gotten them all on before?
Yep! We held a contest on YouTube and had a couple winners.
On a scale of Q-Man to that magnet that comes with the thinking putty (1-10), how strong are these?
They aren't as strong as neodymium magnets (which, as it happens, are in both Q-Man and Thinking Putty sets) but they are pretty strong.
Can you take this and play in a car?
We suppose so, as long as the car is steady. You will want the board to be as steady as possible when playing so the magnets do not bump into each other.
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