Counting for samurai

Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, rokku, nana samurai...

The Japanese have an advantage over Westerners when it comes to counting. Ask someone in Leicester to count off ten items in a list (say like the 10 best nights out of all time at The Clarendon pub) and they will need both hands and all fingers. But the Japanese can count to 10 one-handed. Here's how to count, shall we say, according to the way of the samurai:

1. Choose a hand and spread the fingers out, palm facing you.
2. Fold your Tommy Thumb into the centre of the hand and say "ichi" (one)
3. Fold the Peter Pointer finger over the thumb and say "ni" (two)
4. Repeat with remaining fingers saying, in order, "san, shi, go" (three, four, five)
5. If you have done this correctly you should now be staring at a clenched fist, with the thumb hidden from view.
6. Now, lift your Baby Small finger back into its starting (straight) position and say "rokku" (six)
7. Then lift your Ruby Ring finger, saying "nana" (seven).
8. Repeat with remaining fingers, and lastly with thumb, stating "hachi, kyu, ju" (eight, nine, ten).
9. You should now be staring at your open palm.
10. You have mastered counting in the way of the samurai.

You are now free to count to 10 and use your redundant hand for other tasks, such as dicing a peasant or changing the TV channel, or even dipping your tempura in the ginger while making a hilarious joke in Japanese.