The story
Fiction and adapted settings written by Akitsora Gaming for this title, including invented dialogue and events. This is not a historical or folklore reference. The rules and specification tables define the gameplay and math.
A round of kaiooi is a black lacquer table, a tub of clam shells — and the small breath of whoever finds the right one.
I. The shell tub
The shells come out of a black lacquer tub and are laid face down, one by one. Inside each is a painting — pine, chrysanthemum, flowing water, autumn grass — in mineral pigment ground from stone.
The hostess says a clam shell only knows its own other half; any other half will never close on it.
II. Matching
Turn one over and look for the one that carries the same painting — find it, line up the hinges, close them gently, and the gold rim glows.
Now and then a pearl rolls across the table, and the number on it is the weight of the spin (base game ×2 to ×20).
III. The unveiling
Gather 4 salon seals and two gold-and-malachite screens slide apart, revealing a gallery laid with painted shells. Over the next 15 spins the multiplier keeps growing (×2 to ×500).
3 more seals add 5 more spins.
IV. The screen of shells
The last pair closes; the hostess raises it into the light and turns it to the guests — this pair goes back into the tub tonight.