[百人一首かるた]. [Hyakunin isshu karuta].
[Hyakunin Isshu Card Game].

No date. Late Edo. Stock ID #175724

Complete set of 200 delicately coloured handpainted cards flecked with gold and silver. Each card 8 × 5.4 cm. Two patterned silk cases, one for the text and the other the portraits of the poets with washi paper linings are held within a black wooden lacquer box (16 ×11 ×15 cm). Some light signs of use but overall a very attractive set.

This famous and much beloved Japanese card game is based on the classic anthology of 100 poems by 100 different poets. The anthology known as both Ogura Hyakunin Isshu and Hyakunin Isshu, brings together waka (usually now called tanka) poems which were written between the 7th and 13th centuries. It was compiled by the famous 13th century critic and poet Fujiwara no Sadaie more often known as Teika. Hyakunin Isshu showcases all of the most important poets from the late Heian period in Japan.

It is difficult to give an appropriate English language parallel to the enormous influence of the Hyakunin Isshu but possibly the closest would be the influence Shakespeare has had in the English speaking world. Many educated Japanese are able to recite many of the poems and this close association with and knowledge of these poems have to a great extent come through this card game. Playing the card game of Hyakunin Isshu is a very popular New Year holiday pastime. The first to win is the person with the largest number of cards collected. To achieve this goal you must be very familiar with the poems so that you can quickly take the card on which is written the last two lines of the poem being read out before your opponent does! A game of great knowledge and speed.

When referring to this item please quote stockid 175724.

Price: $2,250.00 AU

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