A vintage set of Hyakunin Isshu (百人一首) karuta cards — a traditional Japanese card game that brings together poetry, history, and elegance. Housed in a wooden box, this set features beautifully printed cards bordered in deep purple, each one adorned with classic ukiyo-e-style portraits of courtly figures and handwritten calligraphy of waka poems.
Hyakunin Isshu, meaning “One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each,” is an anthology of 100 classical Japanese poems compiled by Fujiwara no Teika in the 13th century. Each card in the game represents one of these poems written by nobles, monks, and poets from the Heian period to the early Kamakura period. The game is traditionally played during the New Year and especially popular among schoolchildren and poetry enthusiasts for its role in both entertainment and education.
The set includes both yomifuda (reading cards with the full poem) and torifuda (grabbing cards with only the second half of the poem), used in the competitive matching game. The elegance of this vintage edition is further elevated by the hand-painted touches and gold-flecked box, reflecting the refined taste of classical Japanese aesthetics.
More than a game, this Hyakunin Isshu set offers a window into the poetic soul of ancient Japan, where seasonal beauty, fleeting love, and refined emotion are captured in just 31 syllables. It makes a lovely cultural collectible or a thoughtful gift for those fascinated by traditional Japanese literature and art.
SIze: 7.5 x 5cm (Card)
14.5 x 19 x 9cm (Box)
