noun
Common in creative and social contexts: a given topic for writing, drawing, conversation, or games. The honorific お is part of the word.
今日のお題は「夏の思い出」です。
Today's theme is 'Summer Memories'.
お題に沿って短歌を詠んでください。
Please compose a tanka poem based on the given theme.
noun
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)
今年の歌会始のお題は「光」です。
This year's theme for the Imperial New Year's Poetry Contest is 'Light'.
題 is a general word for 'topic' or 'title' without the honorific prefix. お題 is more specific to assigned themes in creative or social settings.
テーマ is a common loanword for 'theme' in a broad sense, including musical or academic themes. お題 is more casual and often implies a prompt or assignment.
Honorific prefix お + 題 (topic, theme). The specific sense for the Imperial poetry contest is a traditional usage.