certified reader; certified reciter
Used in competitive karuta to refer to a person officially certified to recite the poems during matches. Compare with 専任読手 (full-time professional reader).
See also: 専任読手
At the tournament, a certified reader recites the Hyakunin Isshu poems.
専任読手 is a full-time professional reader employed by the All Japan Karuta Association, while 公認読手 is a certified reader who may not be employed full-time.
Compound of 公認 (official recognition) and 読手 (reader, reciter).