Competitive karuta

Competitive karuta has been around since the start of the 19th century before the Meiji Restoration, but the rules used vary in different regions.

Today, competitive karuta is played by a wide range of people in Japan.

Although the game itself is simple, playing at a competitive level requires a high-level of skills such as agility and memory.

The game is played in a number of community centers, as well as school and university clubs.

The Japanese national championship tournament of competitive karuta is held every January at Omi Shrine in Ōtsu, Shiga.

In September 2012, there was the first international tournament, and players from the U.S., China, South Korea, New Zealand, and Thailand participated.

The two decks are: Competitive karuta is a one-on-one game, facilitated by a reciter (card reader) and a judge.

Good karuta players memorize all 100 tanka poems and the layout of the cards at the start of the match.

For example, there are 3 cards starting with chi which are: chihayaburu..., chigiriki na..., and chigiri-okishi...; so players must react as soon as they hear the beginning decisive part of the poem, which is called kimariji.

An average karuta game lasts about 90 minutes, including a 15-minute pre-match memorizing time.

[citation needed] Several drama, anime and manga plots revolve around competitive karuta.

Of particular note is the manga, anime series and live action movie Chihayafuru which portrays the story of a group of young people who competitively play Hyakunin Isshu karuta with the aim of becoming best in the world.