Карута

Карута (Karuta) is a traditional Japanese card game that combines skill, speed, and memory. It typically involves players listening to a reader recite poems or phrases from a set of cards while quickly trying to identify and claim the corresponding cards from their own set. The game is often based on the anthology “Hyakunin Isshu,” a collection of 100 classical Japanese poems. Players aim to collect as many cards as possible by reacting swiftly to the spoken cues. Karuta is enjoyed in various settings, from casual family games to competitive tournaments, and is celebrated for its cultural significance in Japan, promoting both poetry appreciation and social interaction.