Ten important points for the competitive "Karuta"


Hitoshi Takano APR/2015


If you click (Article-#), you can read an explanation.

[ The essence of the competitive "Karuta" ]


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(Article-1)   You should understand the competitive "Karuta" a communication between both players.

    ** Another translation **
      Players must keep in mind that competitive Karuta is a game which takes place between two players through non-verbal communication.

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(Article-2)   You should acquire it by experience a synchronization a breath of reader("Yomite") and a breath of yourself.

    ** Another translation **
      Players must acruire a skill to synchronize own breathing rhythm to the reading rhythm of reciter(card reader or "Yomite").

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(Article-3)   You should recognize that the purpose of the competitive "Karuta" is to make own field("Jijin") card emptiness earlier than another player.
       "Taking a card" is not pupose, it is a means to an end.


    ** Another translation **
      Remember the objective of the game, which is the first player who gets rid of all the cards in his or her home territory("Jijin") wins. If a player only focuses on striking cards, that could increase the risk of false touches or "Otetsuki". Hence striking cards is not the goal but only the means to victory.

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(Article-4)   As for the serious consideration of the attack on enemy field("Tekijin"), you should understand a profit to send a card from your field("Jijin").

    ** Another translation **
      Please be aware that the strategic action of snatching cards in the opponent's territory("Tekijin") is to gain the privilege to select specific cards to be transferred from Jijin to Tekijin.

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(Article-5)   You should understand your fixed position("Tei-ichi") with a means("Houben").

[ Note ]
"Houben" : upa~ya(Sanskrit), Buddhism term in Japanese.

    ** Another translation **
      Each player should establish and maintain his or her own style of "Teiichi"; however it can also be flexible depending on the opponent and course of the game.

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(Article-6)   You should recognize not only "Sen-no-Sen" but also "Go- no-Sen".

[ Note ]
In a game of the competitive "Karuta", "Sen-no-Sen" means nearly "First come, first served." of the proverb.
"Go-no-Sen" is tactics of the competitive "Karuta". It means nearly "The last one becomes the first" of the proverb.

    ** Another translation **
      Keep in mind that the winning strategy of competitive Karuta is not only the offencive tactic of the faster the better or "Sen-no-Sen" but also the reactive tactic known as "Go-no-Sen".

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(Article-7)   You should look at the card("Defuda") at a moment when you(or "another player") touched it.

    ** Another translation **
      Always be alert and pay attention to the direction of eyes and hands of yourself and of the opponent in the opponent in the moment when the card is stricken.

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(Article-8)   The theory of probability is right. You should not depend on an intuition.

    ** Another translation **
      Probability theory still stands, so players should never rely on his or her own instinct but be persistent to own tactics.

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(Article-9)   A human being is not perfect, may be wrong (must be wrong).
        If another player made a mistake, you get a chance.
        Don't give up !


    ** Another translation **
      Nobody is perfect. There is always a possibility for the opponent to make mistakes, so don't lose hope until the end !

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(Article-10)   You should keep "Yousha-Zaishin" in mind.

[ Note ]
"Yousha-Zaishin" is a word in "Okugaki of Hyakunin Syuka" by Teika Fujiwara. He selected and edited "Hyakunin-Issyu" .
"Yousha-Zaishin" means nearly "I will decide about my tactics on my own." in a game of the competitive "Karuta".

    ** Another translation **
      During the game, players must be faithful to one's tactics. Take a full responsibility of the outcome. Never blame others.

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IN JAPANESE  (Nov/2010)

* Top page of "SFC Karuta Kai"
* Top page of "Keio Karuta Kai"
* How to play the competitive "Karuta"
* What's "Ogura-Hyakunin-Issyu"
* "Certification" of "Dan-i" for the competitive "KARUTA"

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