Tuho
Officially Tuho (투호)
Ancient East Asian throwing game — players throw arrows/sticks into narrow-necked jar or pot from distance. Originated CHINA (Zhou Dynasty ~1046 BCE); spread to KOREA + JAPAN. In Korea, popular ROYAL COURT + folk game; still played traditional holidays. Similar to horseshoes / cornhole conceptually. Elegant, minimalist, cultural preservation focus.
What is Tuho?
Tuho (투호, 'throwing pot') is ANCIENT EAST ASIAN THROWING GAME — players THROW ARROWS or SPECIAL STICKS into a NARROW-NECKED JAR or POT from set distance. ORIGINATED CHINA in ZHOU DYNASTY (~1046 BCE) as royal court amusement; spread to KOREA + JAPAN via cultural exchange over centuries. In KOREA, became ROYAL COURT GAME (documented Joseon Dynasty 1392-1897) + FOLK GAME played at seasonal festivals. In JAPAN, TOKO practiced by NOBILITY + AT ROYAL COURT during HEIAN PERIOD. GAMEPLAY: (1) Pot placed 2-5m away from throwing line. (2) Players take turns throwing 10-12 arrows/sticks into pot's NECK OR SIDE HANDLES (varies by version). (3) Points scored based on where arrow lands (center = highest; handles = medium; miss = 0). (4) First to 20-30 points wins OR most points after set rounds. TRADITIONALLY: bamboo arrows into copper jar. MODERN: wooden arrows into decorative pot. ELEGANT + MINIMALIST game reflecting East Asian aesthetic sensibility. CULTURAL PRESERVATION emphasis: played traditional Korean holidays (Chuseok, Seollal), Japanese cultural events. Not organized competitively at international level. Similar CONCEPT: HORSESHOES (Western), CORNHOLE (American), PÉTANQUE (French). Considered cultural heritage worth preservation.
Quick facts
Category
Traditional & Cultural Sports
Type
Individual
Players
2–8
Duration
~20 min
Where played
both
Field / court
any flat area
Country of origin
🇨🇳 China
Estimated origin
Chinese origins ~1046 BCE (Zhou Dynasty royal court); spread to Korea + Japan via cultural exchange over centuries; Korean/Japanese royal court tradition
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Throw arrows into pot from distance; score points based on where arrow lands.
Rules
Basic rules
Pot placed 2-5m from throwing line
Distance varies by version + skill.
Take turns throwing arrows (10-12 per round)
Each player throws all arrows before next player.
Scoring: center of pot (highest), side handles (medium), miss (0)
Some variants score bouncing arrows differently.
Traditional Korean scoring: pot mouth = 5 pts, side ear = 3 pts
Variants exist.
First to 20-30 points wins OR most after set rounds
Rules vary by tradition + occasion.
Scoring
Points based on where arrow lands in/on pot. Traditional Korean: mouth 5 pts, side ear 3 pts.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Arrow in center of pot mouth | 5 pts (traditional Korean) |
| Arrow in side handle/ear | 3 pts |
| Arrow miss | 0 pts |
| First to 20-30 or set-round total | Win |
Win condition · First to target points OR most points after set rounds.
Playing area
Called
any flat area
Dimensions
throwing distance 2-5m; pot ~30cm tall + narrow neck
Traditional: elegant lacquered pot; distance marked with line.
Equipment
Tuho pot (narrow-necked jar with side handles)
€30-150 traditional or replica
Arrows (bamboo or wooden, 10-12)
€20-50 for set
Throwing line marker
String or chalk
Strategies
Practice consistent throwing technique
Underhand vs sidearm — find personal preference.
Read wind + distance
Small adjustments in distance/wind significant.
Terminology
- Tuho (투호)
- 'Throwing pot' — Korean name.
- Touhu (投壶)
- Original Chinese name.
- Toko (投壺)
- Japanese name.
- Pot mouth
- Center opening; highest points.
- Side ears / handles
- Pot's side attachments; medium points.
Major competitions
Cultural festival events (Chuseok, Seollal, Japanese cultural events)
annual · East Asia · since 1000
Where it is played
Governing bodies
No official governing body
n/a
Cultural preservation organizations (Korea, Japan, China)
Founded 1980 · regional
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Traditional cultural game; no famous players
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Buy replica tuho set ($50-150) — Asian cultural stores online
Traditional pot + arrows.
- 2
Play at Korean/Japanese cultural festivals
Traditional context + community learning.
intermediate
- 1
Master different distances + scoring variants
Various traditions.
Frequently asked
What is Tuho?+
ANCIENT EAST ASIAN THROWING GAME — players throw arrows or sticks into narrow-necked pot from 2-5m distance. Originated CHINA (Zhou Dynasty ~1046 BCE) as royal court game; spread to KOREA (Joseon Dynasty royal court + folk game) + JAPAN (Heian period court game). Scoring based on where arrow lands. Similar to CORNHOLE or HORSESHOES conceptually. Cultural heritage of East Asia; played at seasonal festivals. Not organized competitively internationally.
How is Tuho different from Cornhole?+
SIMILAR CONCEPT — throw projectile at target scoring points. TUHO uses ARROWS/STICKS into NARROW POT; CORNHOLE uses BEAN BAGS onto TILTED WOODEN BOARD with hole. TUHO ancient (3000+ years); CORNHOLE modern (formalized 1990s Ohio/Kentucky). CORNHOLE has ORGANIZED PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE (American Cornhole League ACL); TUHO cultural preservation only. Both scoring games; both accessible. Different cultural backgrounds — Tuho East Asian courtly elegance; Cornhole American backyard casual.
Is Tuho still played?+
PRIMARILY CULTURAL PRESERVATION context. Not popular as active sport. Played at: KOREAN HOLIDAYS (Chuseok autumn harvest, Seollal Lunar New Year), JAPANESE CULTURAL EVENTS, CHINESE HERITAGE FESTIVALS, MUSEUM DEMONSTRATIONS. Not organized competitively; no professional tuho scene. Educational value for children learning East Asian traditions. Considered ENDANGERED cultural heritage — preserved intentionally through cultural centers + festivals rather than living sport.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Tuho (game)— Wikipedia