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"