Features the one hundred Hyakunin Isshu poems and the "joka," a poem read out before a game of karuta. There is no card for the joka, so while it is read just relax and mentally prepare yourself for the game ahead.

With a box of Echizen paper, and cards with backs made of purple Echizen paper that is then sprinkled with flakes of silver foil. With all two hundred cards made by hand, you can truly see the amount of work, time and skill that has gone into them.

The backs of the cards are made of green Echizen paper that is then sprinkled with flakes of gold and silver foil. All two hundred cards are hand made.

Brown karuta cards. In order to get them the same size, the cards are cut flat without stacking them first. They have a solid thickness comfortable to hold.

Green karuta cards. In order to get them the same size, the cards are cut flat without stacking them first. Use for karuta practice.

Pains have been taken here not only with the cards but also with the wood box, made of highest-quality paulownia. The front of each card features Echizen Torinoko paper, and the printing is carefully checked after each color is laid down. The backs of the cards are not printed, but rather carefully sprinkled with gold and silver foil, giving them a beautiful appearance and making them a pleasure to touch. The box itself is unspoilt by any unnecessary decoration; enjoy the warmth and beauty of the natural material.

Recalls and creates a direct connection with the kinder, more relaxed 4th- to 8th-century period, during which the poetry in the Manyou anthology was written. In the 50th year of the Showa era (1975), 100 famous poems were chosen from the 4,516 in the Manyou anthology, and at New Year's ten years later this Manyou Karuta was unveiled. In contrast to the grand, lofty and elegant world of the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, the Manyou features many poems that describe simple everyday life. Warmth and spirit has gone into the creation of this set, which lets you experience a part of the Manyou era of long ago. It can truly be called a work of art.