Translation guide
A traditional Japanese card game based on the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu poetry anthology. Players match the first half of a poem (read aloud) with the corresponding second half on cards spread on the floor.
I played hyakunin isshu karuta with friends on the weekend.
Specifically refers to competitive karuta, often played in official tournaments.
She participated in the national competitive karuta tournament.
Referring to the physical deck of cards
Literally 'the karuta of Hyakunin Isshu'. Used when you need to specify the cards themselves.
I received a set of hyakunin isshu karuta cards from my grandmother.
Literally 'poem cards', a general term for karuta based on poetry, but often implies Hyakunin Isshu.
In casual conversation, Japanese speakers often just say 'かるた' when the context makes it clear they mean Hyakunin Isshu karuta. However, if there's ambiguity (e.g., iroha karuta), use the full term.
Hyakunin Isshu karuta is a specific type of karuta. Other types include 'いろはかるた' (iroha karuta) which uses proverbs, and '花札' (hanafuda) which is a different card game altogether. Be careful not to confuse them.
We played uta-garuta as a family during New Year's.