Shitenno

About this board game

Shitenno is a strategy board game for 2–4 players, with a playing time of about 60 minutes, released in 2011. Players take the roles of the four great Generals of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, competing to become his favorite by controlling as many provinces as possible.

Rather than fighting on the battlefield, players compete through planning and manipulation in the Shogun’s court. Each turn begins with a distribution phase that puts judgment and anticipation at the center of play.

During this phase, the active player creates card lots, making one lot for each player. The other players take their cards first, while the active player receives the lot left after everyone else has chosen. This follows the Japanese code of honor and gives every distribution a meaningful twist.

In the following stage, players can gain control of provinces. The rules are easy to understand, but winning requires more than simply knowing how the game works. You must assess your opponents carefully and try to guess their secret intentions before committing to your own choices.

• Players: 2–4
• Playing time: approximately 60 minutes
• Core focus: card-lot distribution, courtly manipulation, and provincial control
• Setting: legendary samurai serving Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu

Every card-lot decision can affect your opportunities, and every move may change the balance of control. Shitenno delivers a focused contest of reading the table, managing uncertainty, and choosing when to act in pursuit of the Shogun’s favor.