1.
karuta; Japanese card game; playing cards (traditional)
A traditional Japanese card game in which players compete to quickly grab cards that match a clue read aloud. Also refers to the cards themselves.
From Portuguese 'carta' (card). A traditional Japanese card game with several varieties.
Types of karuta
- いろはかるた: proverb-based karuta for children
- 百人一首: classical poetry karuta (100 famous poems)
- 競技かるた: competitive karuta — a serious sport with ranked players
Common collocations
- かるたをする: to play karuta
- かるた取り: playing karuta (the act of grabbing cards)
- かるた大会: karuta tournament
- かるた遊び: karuta as a game/pastime
Cultural note
Karuta is traditionally played during New Year's celebrations. In the game, one person reads a clue (the 読み札 'reading card') and players compete to be the first to grab the matching 取り札 ('grabbing card'). Competitive karuta based on 百人一首 is recognized as a sport, with top players memorizing all 100 poems and their positions on the playing field.
Etymology
Borrowed from Portuguese 'carta' during the 16th century, when Portuguese missionaries and traders introduced playing cards to Japan.