Hatsumode to our library

Competitive Karuta Workshop
2:00pm-4:00pm (RSVP required)
Instructions in Japanese.

Are you interested in playing Hyakunin Isshu (百人一首) in the style of the manga/film Chihayafuru? Hyakunin Isshu is often played with simplified rules when among family and friends. This workshop however, is focused on competitive karuta rules – for some, this will be a new playing style. Previous Hyakunin Isshu experience* benefits participants regarding speed of familiarisation with the rules (* knowledge of the playing deck and syllabic structures of waka poems, not necessarily with the competitive rules).

Hiroki Imura, our instructor, has experience in the competitive karuta league for 15 years and is currently appointed as an Overseas Associate by All Japan Karuta Association.

Due to the language on the deck and the nature of the game, with relatively close proximity and accidental hand contact, the following conditions need to be observed to participate in the workshop:

• understand intermediate Japanese and be able to read hiragana easily (if you learn Japanese as a foreign language).
• no jewellery and accessories (eg. rings, bracelets, necklaces, etc.)
• trimmed fingernails without stone nail arts.

Hyakunin Isshu (One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each)
10:00am-12:00pm

Are you interested in playing Hyakunin Isshu (百人一首) just like seen in the manga/film Chihayafuru? We’ll set up two leagues on the day, for beginners and intermediate players.

Don’t worry if you have never played Hyakunin Isshu before, as there will be a 30-minute crash course before the games start.

10:00am-10:30am — Crash course on Hyakunin Isshu
You will need to be able to read hiragana and understand basic Japanese vocabulary to understand the crash course instructions.

10:30am-12:00pm — Games

Ozashiki Asobi (Japanese party games)
2:30pm-3:30pm

Let’s play Japanese party games for entertaining during the new year!

Konpira fune fune (金毘羅舟舟) is another hand game, but rhythmic sense is required, as you will play along the song of Konpira fune fune.

Tōsenkyō (投扇興) is similar to darts in the sense that you need to aim and throw an object at a target but it calls for a more graceful flair. An open fan must be tossed to hit a target called a butterfly. Scoring is affected by the positions of the dropped fan and butterfly.

Links:

• Konpira Fune Fune video clip (YouTube)
• Tōsenkyō video clip (YouTube)
• Fan Tossing Game DIY paper craft cutout
• Full scoring chart by Bisenryū School (PDF in Japanese)