Hyakunin Isshu karuta

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[Hyakunin Isshu karuta]

[Creator unidentified].

[Japan, ca. Edo period (1750-1850s)?]. In manuscript.

A complete set of two hundred Hyakunin Isshu playing cards (karuta). The Hyakunin Isshu card game (a form of uta-garuta ("poetry karuta")) is based on the anthology of one hundred waka poems by one hundred poets compiled by Fujiwara no Teika in the thirteenth century. In this set, each poet's name and the first part of their poem are inscribed on one of the blue cards (the yomifuda) and the last part of the same poem on one of the green cards (the torifuda). The aim of the game is to be the first player to touch the torifuda corresponding to the poem read aloud from a yomifuda by the yomite (reader). The game continues to be played competitively in Japan to this day. While some sets feature illustrations of the poets, the focal point of this set is the elegance of the calligraphy. Each card is speckled with gold leaf and carefully inscribed with a thin brush. The versos of the cards have been brushed with a beautiful, almost metallic, burnt orange urushi lacquer. The cards are housed in two silk-covered card cases hand-painted with blossoms and pine branches and similarly speckled with gold leaf. In turn, each of these cases fits inside a drawer of the original wooden box, which is portable and varnished with lacquer. A refined set of cards embellished with aesthetically pleasing calligraphy, used for a sophisticated pastime. 

Two hundred cards, complete, housed in two card cases and one wooden box. Scrapes to several cards. Wear to folds of card cases, clasp ribbon cut on one. Minor wear and marks to box, light crack to right side. Each card measures approximately 7.8 x 5.1 cm.

Hyakunin Isshu karuta
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