Rising Sun Board Game: Rules and Overview

Rising Sun is a strategy board game set in mythical feudal Japan where players control clans, form alliances, and fight for control of provinces.
The game combines diplomacy, area control, and bidding-based combat across three seasonal rounds.

What Is Rising Sun Board Game

Rising Sun is a strategy board game designed by Eric M. Lang and published by CMON Limited. It was released in 2018 after a successful campaign on Kickstarter. The game is set in a mythological version of Feudal Japan, inspired by elements of Japanese mythology, Shinto, and traditional folklore.

The game supports three to five players. Each player controls a unique clan that competes for honor and victory points. The gameplay combines diplomacy, strategic movement, resource management, and structured combat.

Rising Sun is classified as an Area control board game. It also includes mechanics such as Auction systems, alliance negotiation, and asymmetric powers. It is often compared with other strategy titles like Risk (game) and Blood Rage (board game).

Game Components and Materials

The standard edition of Rising Sun includes:

• A large board representing regions of Japan
• Highly detailed plastic miniatures
• Clan screens
• War tokens
• Coins
• Season cards
• Stronghold markers
• Mandate tiles
• Honor and victory point trackers

The miniatures represent warriors called Bushi, leaders called Daimyo, and religious figures called Shinto. Some expansions include mythological creatures such as Oni, inspired by creatures from Japanese folklore.

The board displays provinces connected by land and sea routes. Provinces contain strongholds and harvesting icons. These icons determine seasonal rewards.

Number of Players and Play Time

Rising Sun is designed for 3 to 5 players. With expansions, it can support 6 players.

Average playtime is 90 to 120 minutes.

The recommended age is 14 and above due to strategic depth and negotiation complexity.

Core Objective of the Game

The main objective is to earn the most victory points by the end of the Autumn season. Points are earned through:

• Winning wars
• Controlling provinces
• Completing season card effects
• Increasing honor
• Collecting sets of war advantages

Victory is determined after three seasons: Spring, Summer, and Autumn. Winter scoring ends the game.

Game Setup Explained

Place the board at the center of the table.

Each player chooses a clan. Every clan has unique abilities. Examples include Turtle Clan, Dragonfly Clan, Bonsai Clan, Lotus Clan, and Koi Clan.

Each player receives:

• Clan screen
• Starting coins
• Daimyo figures
• Bushi miniatures
• Shinto figures
• Stronghold tokens

Shuffle the Season deck. Reveal the political mandate tiles for the first season. Place war tokens near the board.

Honor track markers are placed on the honor track. Honor order determines tie resolution.

Understanding the Three Seasonal Structure

The game is divided into three full rounds called seasons:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn

Each season has two main phases:

1. Political Phase
2. War Phase

Winter scoring ends the game.

Political Phase Rules

The Political Phase is the main action phase. Players take turns choosing Mandate tiles.

Mandates represent actions such as:

• Recruit
• Train
• Marshal
• Harvest
• Betray

When a player selects a mandate, all players perform the action in alliance order.

Alliances and Diplomacy Rules

At the beginning of each season, players may form alliances. Alliances are optional but important.

Allied players gain shared benefits during certain mandates. However, alliances can be broken with the Betray action.

Diplomacy is open. Players negotiate freely. Agreements are not binding.

This system reflects negotiation mechanics similar to games like Diplomacy (game).

Mandate Actions Explained

Recruit

Players place new Bushi or Shinto figures in provinces where they control strongholds.

Train

Players buy season cards using coins. Cards provide:

• Monsters
• Upgrades
• One-time effects
• Permanent abilities

Many monsters are inspired by creatures like Yokai.

Marshal

Players move units between adjacent provinces.

Movement is limited by land or sea connection.

Harvest

Players gain coins based on controlled provinces with harvest symbols.

Betray

Players may remove alliance markers and eliminate an opponent’s figure in a province.

Honor System

Honor determines tie-breaking.

Higher honor wins ties in war and card resolution.

Honor can increase or decrease based on actions.

Some cards reward honorable play. Others reward dishonor.

The honor system reflects cultural themes tied to historical concepts such as Bushido.

Worship of the Kami

During the Political Phase, Shinto figures may be sent to worship Kami.

Kami are gods from Shinto belief. Examples include Amaterasu and Susanoo.

Worship grants bonuses such as:

• Extra coins
• Victory points
• Force advantages
• Recruitment benefits

This mechanic is inspired by real Shinto religious structure.

War Phase Structure

After all Mandates are resolved, the War Phase begins.

Each province with multiple clans triggers war.

Combat does not involve dice. Instead, it uses a secret bidding system.

War Bidding System Explained

Each war has four possible advantages:

1. Seppuku
2. Take Hostage
3. Hire Ronin
4. Imperial Poets

Players secretly bid coins behind screens.

Coins determine which advantages they gain.

Seppuku

Units commit ritual suicide for honor and victory points. This references Seppuku.

Take Hostage

Capture an enemy figure for coins and points.

Hire Ronin

Add extra strength to battle using Ronin tokens.

Imperial Poets

Gain points for each unit lost in battle.

After bidding, total force determines the winner.

The winner gains province control and points.

Province Control and Scoring

Provinces provide points during Winter scoring.

Each province controlled awards points.

Sets of provinces provide bonus scoring.

Strongholds increase control strength.

Clan Abilities and Asymmetry

Each clan has a unique power.

Examples:

• Turtle Clan builds fortresses.
• Dragonfly Clan moves between any provinces.
• Koi Clan ignores sea restrictions.
• Lotus Clan controls mandate selection.

Asymmetry increases replay value.

This design approach is common in modern board games.

Expansion Content

Several expansions exist:

• Dynasty Invasion
• Kami Unbound
• Monster Pack

Expansions add new clans, monsters, and mechanics.

Some monsters resemble mythic creatures such as dragons similar to those found in Japanese dragon legends.

Comparison with Other Strategy Games

Rising Sun differs from traditional war games like Chess because it emphasizes diplomacy over pure tactics.

It differs from random-heavy games like Monopoly (game) because combat is deterministic.

It shares strategic depth with titles such as Settlers of Catan and Game of Thrones (board game).

The auction-based battle resolution is comparable to economic auction systems used in classical auction theory.

Strategic Planning Essentials

Key strategic elements include:

• Timing of Mandates
• Honor management
• Efficient coin usage
• Province targeting
• Alliance timing

Players must predict opponent bids.

Strong economic management often leads to late-game dominance.

Economic System and Resource Flow

Coins are the main resource.

Coins are earned during Harvest.

Coins are spent during Train and War bidding.

Resource control resembles economic models found in historical trade systems.

Board Layout and Regional Importance

The board represents regions of Japan.

Each region contains different harvest symbols.

Control of adjacent provinces strengthens map presence.

Geography influences movement and war order.

Balance Between Diplomacy and Warfare

The game rewards negotiation skill.

Open negotiation reflects real political structures found in systems like Feudalism.

Players must manage trust and timing.

Betrayal is legal and often strategic.

Art and Miniature Design

The game is known for high-quality sculpted miniatures.

Art direction reflects traditional Japanese armor styles such as Samurai.

Design incorporates mythological aesthetics inspired by classical Japanese art traditions.

Educational and Cultural Elements

The game indirectly introduces concepts from:

• Shinto religion
• Samurai code
• Feudal Japanese governance
• Mythological creatures

Although fictional, it references real historical and cultural elements.

Victory Conditions Detailed

Victory points are earned through:

• Winning battles
• Honor ranking
• Province control
• War advantage cards
• Seasonal bonuses

Final scoring includes:

• Province sets
• Honor bonuses
• Card effects

The player with the highest total wins.

Why Rising Sun Remains Popular

Rising Sun maintains long-term popularity due to:

• Balanced mechanics
• Deep diplomacy
• Strong thematic integration
• High production value
• Competitive strategy

It is widely discussed in board gaming communities.

Its blend of auction mechanics, alliance politics, and mythological theme gives it a unique identity in the strategy genre.

Gameplay Terms Explained

Area Control: Holding territories to gain points.

Mandate: Political action chosen each turn.

Kami: Shinto gods granting bonuses.

Ronin: Mercenary units used during war.

Honor: Tie-breaking and reputation system.

Stronghold: Clan structure increasing control.

Season Cards: Upgrades and abilities.

Related Historical and Cultural References

The game theme connects loosely to historical periods such as the Edo period.

Armor and weapons resemble traditional Katana design.

Social hierarchy reflects elements of Japanese feudal lords known as Daimyo.

The mythic tone reflects stories common in Japanese cultural tradition.

Tournament and Competitive Play

Rising Sun is played in organized competitive events.

Strategic depth allows tournament-level analysis.

Competitive players study probability models of bidding outcomes.

Replay Value and Longevity

High replay value comes from:

• Different clan combinations
• Variable season cards
• Dynamic alliances
• Bidding uncertainty

No two games play exactly the same.

Storage and Component Care

Due to detailed miniatures, storage inserts are recommended.

Protect painted miniatures with foam trays.

Store coins and tokens in organized containers.

Learning Curve and Teaching Tips

New players should focus on:

• Understanding Mandates first
• Learning honor order
• Observing coin economy

Begin with simple alliance discussion before complex negotiation.

After one full game, mechanics become clear.

Final Game Flow Summary

1. Setup clans and board.
2. Form alliances.
3. Play Political Phase through Mandates.
4. Worship Kami.
5. Conduct War Phase.
6. Score provinces.
7. Repeat for three seasons.
8. Final Winter scoring.

Victory goes to the player with the most points.

Share this post: on Twitter on Facebook