English Hyakuninisshu Karuta! You can play like Chihayafuru!

This English Hyakuninisshu Karuta (poetry card game) uses the original Japanese poems from Ogura Hyakuninisshu translated to English "wakas" (5+7+5; 7+7 syllables). This karuta includes card no. 51-100 (Part 2). The second half of the 100 cards.

All cards have both the Japanese original poem with a unique illustration or text, from the original karuta from Shogundo plus the English translation (by Clay MacCauley 1917) on the back of the cards. The translation strictly follows the 575-77 syllables (waka form) so you can read/sing exactly like the original Japanese waka- with its unique melody.
Card size: 7cm x 10 cm
Box: 12cm x 17cm x 4,5cm
Net weight: 322g

Karuta is sometimes described as intellectual martial arts. It is about listening and being extremely focused and fast, just like the Samurai with their swords. Only here you fight with cards instead. To begin, a reader is chosen or a reader app will be used to read the poems on the reading cards aloud. Players listen and search for the playing card with the second part of the poem being read aloud. Be the first to get the matching cards being read, to win!

Review from Japan Center Michigan State University 2020-03-09
“…really appreciated how you used the 5-7-5-7-7 syllable translations, and the reading app made it feel just as real to us as the “traditional” version of the game.”

Tip: Download the free iOS audio reader app (companion app for this game). You can use the reader app for practicing and also when you are only two persons and you need a reader. We have two reader apps. 1. Hyakuninisshu EN : This reader app sings the poems exactly like the Japanese wakas (original poems) are sung since 400 years. 2. Read Hyakunin Isshu EN: This reader app is read normally. It is easier to understand when it is read normally but the app which is sung sounds more genuine like the original Japanese poems.

The Android app will be published later this year due to the new regulations made by Google last November.

Meanwhile, for those who have an android device or a PC, you can play the readings on spotify. Search Hyakuninisshu English Karuta by Aya Feurst on spotify. Or you can download the audio recording of the Hyakuninisshu English translation from our homepage(www.ogoola.org/) for free. Listen to the original song of the wakas and the readings in English. Please go to Media/Download/English on our homepage if you want to download the readings. You will find the recordings there! Download an audio player for example the VLC player to make your own playlist. Good Luck!