What is Competitive Karuta?

Competitive Karuta (競技かるた, Kyogi Karuta) is a Japanese card game played one-on-one. Players listen to a reader recite classical Japanese poems and race to touch the correct card on the floor before their opponent. It is fast, physical, and deeply tied to the famous poetry collection Hyakunin Isshu (One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each).

Origins: The Hyakunin Isshu

The game uses the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, a set of 100 classical waka (31-syllable) poems compiled in the 13th century. Each poem is written in full on one card (the reading card, or yomifuda), and the same poem’s second half is written on another card (the playing card, or torifuda). In each match, only 50 of the 100 playing cards are used (25 per player); the other 50 are not in play. Those 50 cards are laid on the floor; the reader reads from the reading cards. Players must recognize the poem from the first sounds and touch the correct playing card.

Sport and Culture

In Japan, Competitive Karuta is governed by the All Japan Karuta Association (全日本かるた協会). Matches are held at local clubs, schools, and nationwide tournaments. The game combines memory, listening, reflexes, and strategy, and is sometimes featured in manga and anime (e.g. Chihayafuru), which has helped spread interest overseas.

What You Need to Know to Start

• Cards: The full set has 100 poems (100 reading + 100 playing cards). One match uses only 50 playing cards — 25 per player; the other 50 are not in play. See Equipment for details.
• Rules: The player whose territory reaches 0 cards first wins. See Rules for the full picture.
• Flow of a match: Reader reads a poem; players race to touch the correct card. Faults and strategy matter. See How to Play for a step-by-step guide.