What happens on the card

A temple courtyard in Kyoto at dusk, cherry petals drifting, a giant birthday cake on a stone pedestal and a little samurai with a party ribbon in his topknot. Swipe across the screen to slash: SHING!, a glowing cut on the cake. Three cuts, then everything freezes: KACHIN!, the sword is sheathed, and the cake falls into six perfect slices for the friends.

Who it is for

Japan lovers, martial arts and samurai film fans, the friend who cuts the cake with surgical precision, and anyone who loves a dramatic pause.

What to write in a samurai birthday card

The message is yours. If you need a start, these fit this card:

  • “Happy birthday! A clean cut into a new year.”
  • “Honour, discipline and a lot of cake.”
  • “Wishing you a year as sharp as you are.”

How to send it

  1. Tap Make this card: the card opens with this game.
  2. Type their first name, their age and your message. The card updates as you type.
  3. Send the link on WhatsApp, by text or by email. You are told when they open it.

Questions

Can I personalise this samurai birthday card?

Yes. Their first name and age are written into the game itself, and you choose the title, the message, a P.S., the celebration at the end, the colours and the fonts. You can also switch to any of the other 30 games without losing your words.

How much does a samurai birthday card cost?

Making and previewing it is free. Sending it costs 2.90 € in the euro zone, £2.49 in the United Kingdom and $2.90 everywhere else, once, with no subscription.

How do I send a samurai birthday card?

As a link, on WhatsApp, by text or by email. It opens in their browser, on a phone or a computer, with no app and no account, and the link does not expire.

Can they lose the game?

No. Every game lasts about twenty seconds and always ends on the birthday cake with their name, whatever they do. A score is shown at the end, just for fun.

Also known as: japanese birthday card, japan birthday card, ninja birthday card.