かるた
かるた
noun
karuta; Japanese card game
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.
お正月にかるたをする。
To play karuta at New Year's.
子どもたちがかるた取りを楽しんでいる。
The children are enjoying a game of karuta.
百人一首のかるたは競技としても人気があり、全国大会も開かれている。
Hyakunin Isshu karuta is popular as a competitive sport, and national tournaments are held.
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.