Korean Traditional Game : Dolssaum

🪨 Korean Traditional Game Series 44

Dolssaum

(돌싸움 · Korean Stone Battle Game)

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🕰️ 1. Introduction

Dolssaum (돌싸움), meaning “stone battle,” is a traditional Korean children’s game that combines teamwork, creativity, and courage.
It was often played in villages or on riversides where smooth stones were easy to find.

In ancient times, this playful battle also symbolized the strength of unity — echoing Korea’s agricultural spirit, where cooperation and friendly competition were both celebrated.
Though the game could appear fierce, it was rooted in laughter, skill, and the joy of strategy rather than real conflict.

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🪄 2. How to Play

1. Dividing teams:
   Players form two groups, each choosing a side of the field — often marked by a line or boundary on the ground.
2. Gathering stones:
   Each team collects small to medium-sized stones, carefully chosen for balance and shape.
3. Setting the battlefield:
   Teams build small mounds or “fortresses” out of stones to protect their area.
4. The battle begins:
   Players take turns throwing stones toward the opposing team’s fortress, trying to knock it down.
   The team whose structure collapses first loses the round.
5. Victory and fairness:
   The game continues for several rounds, and players often adjust the rules — such as distance or number of throws — to keep it fair and fun.

Dolssaum taught children focus, coordination, and cooperation — and above all, respect for fair play.

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👀 3. Example from Life

Under the bright summer sun, village children gather by the riverbank, their pockets full of smooth, round stones.
They laugh as they stack their fortress — tall, proud, and wobbly.
“Ready?” one boy shouts, and the air fills with the soft sound of stones skimming the dirt.

When a well-aimed throw topples the opposing team’s pile, cheers echo across the water.
The “battle” ends not in anger but in shared laughter and a promise: “Let’s play again tomorrow!”

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🌏 4. Similar Traditions Around the World

• Japan: Ishi asobi, traditional stone-throwing games played near streams.
• India: Pebble-target games where players aim at stacked stones.
• Western countries: “Stack and strike” or “knockdown” games, similar to bowling or skittle play.

Across cultures, stone games reflect humanity’s instinct to play, build, and compete — transforming simple nature into a source of endless imagination.

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💌 Closing Words

Dolssaum may seem simple, but it carries the timeless lesson that strength grows from unity and joy.
Even the smallest stone can teach balance, patience, and teamwork — values that have shaped Korean childhoods for generations.

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📌 Note
This is a creative cultural content from the Misojieum Story Blog (kor-telling.com).
Please do not copy without permission.
Sharing is welcome with proper source citation.