
- BGG rank
- BGG #23,085
- BGG rating
- 6.1
From Batavia
- 2–6 players
- 40 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2018

2010
Rules assistance for The major four of Heizei
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
The major four of Heizei is a board game released in 2010 for 3–5 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Kenichi Tanabe and its main mechanics are Open Drafting.
In 714, the capital in Japan is Heizei-Kyo. There is at Nara in present. So this era is called Nara-era. The politics in Heizei-Kyo is managed by 10 persons. The four of 10 person are named Fujiwara. They are the sons of Fuhito. They have the big power in Heizei-Kyo. Players are the other politicians. They gain the favor of four somebody and aim for stabilizing a position. But the impression to others is not good if a player gain the favor of one.
The major four of Heizei supports 3–5 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for The major four of Heizei is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists The major four of Heizei for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
The major four of Heizei has a complexity rating of 1.8 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
The major four of Heizei belongs to these categories: Card Game and Ancient. Its main mechanics are Open Drafting. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of The major four of Heizei are: Kenichi Tanabe. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists The major four of Heizei as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.