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Memorization Progress, February 2023
Hello dear readers, My progress in memorizing the Hyakunin Isshu poems, for the sake of learning to play karuta, continues, but since returning to the US, it has taken some twists and turns. When I got back home, it became clear how busy my day to day life is compared to Japan, where I didn’t…
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The Diary of Lady Murasaki
Of all the poets of the Hyakunin Isshu anthology, arguably the most famous, especially overseas is Lady Murasaki (poem 57), who in Japanese is called Murasaki Shikibu (紫式部). She is the author of the Tales of Genji, which epitomized life in Japanese antiquity, and is arguably the first novel in history. But another work by…
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So You’ve Decided to Memorize the Hyakunin Isshu
I started this blog in 2011, and after a long lull, I have picked it up again and added a lot more to it. One thing I never did though was memorize the Hyakunin Isshu anthology. I had a poem or two (poems 24 and 33) that I kind of remembered, but never really put…
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My SECOND Karuta Set and More!
While here in Japan for a couple weeks, I picked up my first karuta set of the Hyakunin Isshu at the local bookstore when I realized that getting to the more famous store was harder than I expected, and I just won’t be here long enough for local delivery. However, my interest in the Hyakunin…
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My First Karuta Purchase
I finally did it! I got my very own karuta set of the hyakunin isshu. Since we came to Japan earlier this week (just ahead of snowy weather, no less), my original plan was to go to the famous karuta shop in Tokyo: Okuno Karuta. However, since we are here primarily for family matters, we…
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Dec 2022 Update Done!
Dear Readers, If you’re following on this blog, which I started way back in 2011, I am happy to report that the updates I made are now done. I made several updates and fixes, including: Anyhow, thanks all for patience, and please continue to enjoy! P.S. I will be heading to Japan in a few…
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Hyakunin Isshu Crackers, Redux!
In Japan, gift-giving (omiyagé お土産) among friends and relatives is a common tradition, and recently a friend returned from Japan and gave us some special crackers (senbei) featuring poems from the Hyakunin Isshu. The crackers come in different flavors, and the wrapper each has a random poem. I got a curry-flavored one: The first two…
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Karuta Competitions
Since initially making this blog way back in 2011, I have learned that you can now find karuta competitions (競技かるた kyōgi karuta) online on the official Youtube channel! Here’s a recent high school playoff competition in 2022 for men: and ladies playoff competition: As you can see, it’s a very formal, elegant affair, with traditional…
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Getting a Much Needed Update
Hello Readers, I started this blog as far back as 2011, and it was only today that I noticed that the blog template is super old and doesn’t work well with WordPress features anymore. Further, a number of images and links are broken. Such is life on the Information Superhighway. I am working on updating…
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Hyakunin Isshu: Splatoon Style
Hello readers! It’s been a while (almost 10 years in fact) since I last posted to this blog. My interest in the Hyakunin Isshu has not diminished during that time, but I had reached the end of the initial project, and then focused on other things at the time. Now, things have somewhat come full-circle…
The Hyakunin Isshu
A Hundreds Poems by a Hundred Poets
The Hyakunin Isshu 