Onitama

Two-player chess-lite — each player holds two move cards, swapped every turn with a shared fifth card.

🌤indoor

What is Onitama?

Onitama is a martial-arts themed two-player abstract game published in 2014. Each side commands a Master and four Students on a 5×5 board. Each player holds two move cards, plus one shared fifth card off to the side. When you use a card you swap it for the fifth — meaning your opponent will get your card next. Win by capturing the enemy Master or moving your own to the opposing shrine.

Quick facts

Category

Board Games

Type

Individual

Players

2–2

Where played

indoor

Country of origin

🇯🇵 Japan

Estimated origin

2014, Shimpei Sato (Arcane Wonders)

Olympic

No

Popularity

regional

Sources & provenance

Last verified 2026-08-24.verified