The Most Dangerous Games: Mirror-sama (Kagami-sama), Or The Opposites Game

Previously: The Ghost Train Game.

Originally posted to 2ch’s occult board on March 22, 2008, the Japanese ritual game Mirror-sama, or Kagami-sama (鏡さま), also goes by the name Opposite-sama, or Hantai-sama (反対さま). I’ve come to think of it as something like “The Opposites Game.” It’s an information-seeking game, as well as a summoning one; just be warned: The entity or intelligence you’re summoning lives on the other side of a mirror — and the mirror universe can be a bit… let’s call it topsy-turvy.

Mirror-sama seems to be a variation — perhaps a hyperlocal one; the original poster noted that it was popular when they were in elementary school in the Tohoku region of Japan — on Kokkuri-san; indeed, the rules to the game as they appeared on 2ch include a phrase that essentially translates as, “The rest is the same as Kokkuri-san” at a key point.

[Like what you read? Check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available from Chronicle Books now!]

After that key point, it’s worth noting, there’s very little in the way of instruction; players are left to their own devices, trusted that they’ll know how to play Mirror-sama based on prior knowledge of Kokkuri-san. Here, I’ve consequently expanded on things a bit, filling out the instructions based on the version of Kokkuri-san, aka the Spirit Of The Coin, we published here at TGIMM a number of years ago.

Is Mirror-sama easy to play? Yes.

Is it safe? Not necessarily.

As always, play at your own risk.

Players:

• One to three principals.

Requirements:

• A piece of paper.
• A writing implement.
• A coin.
• A small hand mirror.
• A quiet room in which to play.

Instructions:

Preparing The Board:

1. Begin at any time. When you are ready, assemble all participants and requirements within the quite room in which you have chosen to play.
2. Using the writing implement, draw a large circle on the piece of paper.
3. Around the edges of the circle, write the numbers 1 through 10 — however, do NOT write them in the standard manner. Rather, you must write each digit as it would appear to you if it were reflected within a mirror.
4. Below the circle, write the words “yes” and “no,” also with both the words and letters mirrored.
5. In the center of the circle, have one participant draw a doodle or sketch. The doodle or sketch may be of whatever you like; however, it may not contain any letters or words. ALSO: You MUST draw the doodle with your NON-DOMINANT hand — that is, if you are right-handed, you must draw the doodle with your left hand, and vice versa.
6. Select any door or window in the room and open it. NOTE: Although the use of a doorstop, prop rod, etc. is optional, it is HIGHLY recommended that you use one. Do NOT proceed without ensuring that a door or window within the room is open and in no danger of closing throughout the rest of the game.
7. Place the hand mirror on a flat surface.
8. Place the piece of paper in front of it.
9. Arrange the player(s) around the piece of paper such that the mirror is at 12 o’clock and the player(s) positioned at three o’clock, six o’clock, and/or nine o’clock, like so:

10. Place the coin in the center of circle drawn on the paper. Alternatively, place the writing implement in the center of the circle drawn on the paper.
11. Now you are ready.

Making Contact:

1. Together, have all players place the index finger of their non-dominant hand on the coin.
2. Together, have all players chant allowed the following words: “Mirror-sama, Mirror-sama, please come through the mirror. If you’re here, please move this coin.”
   • If the coin does not move: Mirror-sama is not here. Do not proceed. Remove your fingers from the coin, and close the door or window. Clear up your supplies, and store the mirror face-down in a safe place. You may try again another time.
   • If the coin moves to “NO”: Mirror-sama is here, but does not wish to play. DO NOT PROCEED. Apologize for being a nuisance, say “Goodbye,” and remove your fingers from the coin. Close the door or window. Soak the paper in water, cut it into strips, and dispose of it as soon as possible. Do not use the mirror again.
   • If the coin moves to “YES”: You may proceed.
3. You may now take turns asking questions. You may ask any question you like, although due to the limitations of the game board, you may find it helpful to ask either yes or no questions or questions which may be answered through numbers, rather than words. Begin each query by addressing Mirror-sama by name twice. Watch the coin after each question; it will indicate the answer in some way — by moving to “YES” or “NO,” by passing over numbers, etc. If the coin does NOT move, that, too, may be interpreted as a response — Mirror-sama may not know, or may not wish to answer.

Saying Goodbye:

1. When you are finished asking questions — or when the coin indicates that Mirror-sama no longer wishes to answer — together, have all players speak the following words aloud: “Mirror-sama, Mirror-sama, please return through the mirror.”
   • If you are successful: The coin will move to “YES,” then come to rest on the doodle or sketch in the middle of the paper.
   • If you are unsuccessful: The coin will behave in any number of ways, including but not limited to: Remaining stationary; moving to “NO”; moving to “YES,” but not coming to rest on the doodle; etc. This means that Mirror-sama is refusing to return home through the mirror. In the event that this outcome occurs, DO NOT attempt to force an end to the game or leave the room before finishing it. Continue to ask Mirror-sama to return home through the mirror until the coin moves to “YES,” then coming to rest at the doodle.
2. Once Mirror-sama has returned home through the mirror, say “Thank you” and “Goodbye” and remove your fingers from the coin. Close the door or window, and leave the room.
3. As soon as possible — ideally within the next 24 hours — perform the following actions:
   • Soak the paper in water, cut it into strips, and dispose of it.
   • Spend the coin. You may spend it on whatever you wish, but DO NOT maintain possession of it. It must change hands, and it must do so through a financial transaction.
   • Cover the mirror and store it somewhere safe. Do NOT allow it to reflect any people or living creatures for at least seven full days.
4. You may play again another time, if you wish; just be sure to make a new board and use a different coin and mirror each time.
5. Be careful, though — spend too much time on the other side of the mirror and you might find it hard to return.

Additional Notes:

Unlike Kokkuri-san, this game may be played alone, by a single player. As many as three may participate, however, should you desire to play with more than one player.

You may use a pen or other writing implement in the place of the coin if you wish. To make this adjustment, use your non-dominant hand(s) to hold the pen perpendicular to the paper instead of placing your finger(s) on the coin, and following the movement of the pen in order to read your answers. After you have finished the game — when you would normally spend the coin — instead, crush the tip of the pen or use the ink up entirely, then dispose of the item.

Regarding Mirror-sama’s Answers:

Be wary of them; Mirror-sama does not always tell the truth.

Also: Remember that Mirror-sama has come to you from within the mirror.

Are their answers to be taken at face value?

Or are they perhaps mirrored versions of the truth?

You must decide.

Just be careful not to misplace your trust.

Mirror-sama: FAQ.

***

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[Photos via Emre Can Acer/Pixabay; Lucia Peters/The Ghost In My Machine]