noun
designated reader (competitive karuta); highest reader qualification
In competitive karuta, a certified reader who recites poems at official tournaments. The term also refers to the qualification itself. Compare with 公認読手 (certified reader).
See also: 公認読手
彼は全日本かるた協会の専任読手として大会で句を読み上げる。
As a designated reader of the All Japan Karuta Association, he recites the poems at tournaments.
専任読手の資格を取るには厳しい試験に合格しなければならない。
To obtain the highest reader qualification, one must pass a rigorous exam.
公認読手 is a certified reader, while 専任読手 is a designated reader with the highest qualification, often serving at official events.
Compound of 専任 (full-time, designated) and 読手 (reader, reciter), a term specific to competitive karuta.