| DATE: | January 3, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. | |
| PLACE: | Gion-machi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto |
|
| DIRECTION: | Bus stop at Gion (city bus #100 or #206) | |
| TEL: | 81-75-561-6155 | |
| ADMISSION: | Free | |
| TEXT: | The Karuta Hajime Ceremony, or the first card game to be played in the new year, is held in honor of the god of Waka (Japanese poetry), Susanoo-no-mikoto, known for reading the very first Waka in Japanese history. While the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu (an anthology of 100 poems by 100 different poets) is read aloud, players quickly flick off the cards in a gorgeous atmosphere, enhancing the mood of the New Year. |