Q&A for How to Play Karuta

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  • Question
    What if we touch the card at the same time?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If the card is on your side, you would get it. If the card is on your opponent's, he would get it.
  • Question
    How do I know if I am correctly grabbing the card?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can swipe at the card or just pick it up, there really is no correct way.
  • Question
    What happens when a player touches the card?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The player will get the card and then you carry on with the game, so try to touch the right card quickly.
  • Question
    Do I need to know Japanese to play and be famous at Karuta?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The cards are written in hiragana, so at the very least you will need to know how to read hiragana.
  • Question
    How do I play Karuta if I don't know Japanese?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    To play Karuta you need a good knowledge of kanji and Japanese poems, you could just try to memorize the actual poems and then try to work your way with it.
  • Question
    Can I make my own game cards?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it would take a long time, and you would need to have knowledge of basic hirigana and kanji.
  • Question
    What do we do if we only have one card each when playing Karuta?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If each player only has one card, play proceeds as normal. This is called a "luck of the draw," as whoever's card is drawn first generally wins.
  • Question
    Do I need to understand the actual language of Japanese to play Karuta?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, though you would need to learn how to read Hiragana to be able to play the traditional one.
  • Question
    Is there a specific order that the cards have to be set in? For example, three left, below again three, etc.?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, you an place them in any order as long both sides have relatively equal amounts of cards.
  • Question
    Why should I do poems when playing Karuta?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Karuta is based off the 100 poets, authentic Karuta is played with the poems but as it says in the article, you can play with regular playing cards. Plus, if you are planning on learning or are learning Japanese, it would be helpful. Karuta also helps with reaction time, memory and attention to detail when listening.
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