exploring the arcade in 暗黒街 (1956) aka Ankokugai aka The Underworld

I want to write about a short scene that contains clips of black-market gambling because it includes a rare example of blowgun gambling.

暗黒街 (1956)

 

 

The preceding scene, this appears to be a shell game done with Peace cigarettes.

 

While we can't see much of the detail on the packs, I want to remind that I have a breakdown of the changes to some popular Japanese cigarette packs over the years, tucked into my Research Notes.  This has been useful for identifying images that have cigarette packs, as some early arcade do.

The only prior example of blowgun gambling I have seen is from this Meiji-era photograph:

 

1870s~ 吹矢賭博屋台 (blowgun gambling stall)
[物売り吹矢屋台菓子を並べて力比べをさせた。 明治初期]

 

 

We do not get to see any more, but I am grateful for this simple demonstration in the film.  There are a number of coloured shapes on the wheel, presumably designating which prize is won.  I find games like this important for arcade ancestry, as these mechanical gambling styles became more elaborate and automated with clever machines.

Blowguns are still used recreationally in Japan and seem like quite the cool hobby.

I wish we saw more footage, but I guess I'll have to hope there are more depictions of black market games to be found.  Seriously, I only found this because I scanned through every film with "Ankokugai" in the title.

 

The game itself echoes in more recent games where the playfield rotates, and if by chance you land on a special spot on the circle you win.

 

2010 ポケモンくるくるゲット（ダイヤモンド＆パール） (Get Pokemon Round and Round Diamond & Pearl) by ナムコ (Namco)

 

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Please read: U.N. draft report uses pseudoscience to claim gender dysphoria is 'socially contagious' by Ryan Adamczeski 

Please read: J.K. Rowling uses Harry Potter wealth to fund anti-transgender organization