Common in creative and social contexts: a given topic for writing, drawing, conversation, or games. The honorific お is part of the word.
Today's theme is 'Summer Memories'.
Please compose a tanka poem based on the given theme.
theme for the Imperial New Year's Poetry Contest
Specific traditional use: the annual topic announced for the 歌会始 (Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading).
See also: 御題 (ぎょだい)
This year's theme for the Imperial New Year's Poetry Contest is 'Light'.
Nichiren chant; daimoku · empty slogan; mere lip service
Standard modern spelling with honorific prefix お.
Formal or traditional kanji spelling; less common in everyday writing.
Honorific prefix お + 題 (topic, theme). The specific sense for the Imperial poetry contest is a traditional usage.