Women in traditional attire from the Heian period 794 -- 1185 take part in the first karuta game of the New Year at Kyoto's Yasakajinja shrine on January 3. Kenta Sujino KYOTO -- A New Year's ceremonial event highlighted by a card-snatching game was held on January 3 at Yasakajinja shrine for the first time in three years.
Eight women dressed in the traditional costume of the Heian period 794 -- 1185 took part in the first karuta card game of the New Year.
While the first half of a Hyakunin-isshu waka poem was read aloud, the women tried to be the first to grab cards based on words to the second half of the poem.
The event takes place at Yasakajinja shrine because it enshrines Susanoo no Mikoto, who wrote the first waka poem, according to Japanese mythology.
The cancellation of the event was forced by the novel coronaviruses for the past two years.
This year s event was held on a Noh stage on the shrine grounds as New Year worshippers visited the shrine.
The women from 18 -- 29 who were in the Kinki branch of the All Japan Karuta Association paired off for the competition.
Haruka Goto, 20, said it was difficult to snatch a card in a graceful manner, but I was able to take part without feeling too much pressure.