Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, KarutaNYC has been unable to meet in person. In response, we decided to start online sessions to not only practice virtually, but to deepen the connections between Karuta players around the world.

Currently, we host regular practice sessions at different times on Saturday and Sunday to accommodate players in various timezones. Players join a Zoom call to connect with the group and then break off into breakout rooms to connect with a single player and practice using the free Kyogi Karuta App.

Karuta is a common card in Japan. This game has traditionally been played for hundreds of years in Japan, dating back to some of the most famous Japanese dynasties. It's a good game for children who are too young to understand more. 3071# Karuta Japanese playing cards set, Hyakunin Isshu Karuta Japanese Traditional Poetry Card Game #Genuine Pack Box VtgJapaneseGoods. From shop VtgJapaneseGoods.

We hope people will take this opportunity to learn and practice the game, make new friends, and have fun. To participate, please download the Kyogi Karuta App (phone or tablet) and join our Facebook group page for links to meetings and more.

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karutaonline

Kyogi Karuta (App Store): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/competitive-karuta-online/id1456718334

Kyogi Karuta App (Google Play): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.betacomputing.karuta&hl=en_US

**Physical classes are suspended until further notice**

Karuta & Hyakunin-Isshu

Karuta is a traditional card game that uses the Hyakunin Isshu, 100 designated poems from the Heian era (794-1185 AD), and makes a 1v1 game similar to the card game “Speed.” If you can read Hiragana, you can play, and if you can’t read, we will teach you!

Karuta has been made popular once again from the well-known manga and anime, “Chihayafuru.” We hope that fans of the show and manga will join our class to learn the game, improve their skills or even to meet other fans!

See Karuta in action in the video below!

Class Program

All classes are open to participants regardless of knowledge of Karuta or Japanese.

Karuta Bot

• 7:00pm: Screen an episode of Chihayafuru
• 7:30pm: Review previously learned poems with mini game
• 8:00pm: Introduce new poems
• 8:30pm: Play a short game with new and old poem
• 9:00pm: Pack up

Things to bring (optional)

• If you have cards please bring them (I suggest labeling the back in sharpie)
• Knee pads recommended (we will have some cushions as well)
• Clothes you can move freely in

Karuta Discord Bot Hack

Gallery

Karuta Anime

About the Organizer

Karuta Cards

NYC Karuta is New York's first Karuta club. The club was founded by Henry Aberle and Dorothy Jorgenson on the heels of the first ever Karuta World Tournament in Otsu, Japan, held at the infamous Omi Jingu in November 2018. NYC Karuta had the pleasure of participating at Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Sakura Matsuri for the first time in April 2019.The club is excited to share this unique game with the people of New York and practice to compete in official tournaments in the coming years.