Un-Sun Karuta (うんすんカルタ)

September 11, 2010 – Hitoyoshi, Japan

(Photo by: Michael Hofmeyr)

The Un-Sun Karuta (うんすんカルタ), named after its two highest cards, was brought to the Japanese island of Kyūshū by the Portuguese in the mid-16th century. Its four original suits, of 15 cards each, still retain their Portuguese names – pau (for paus), is(u) (for espadas), kotsu (for copas) and ouro (for ouros). One additional suit, Guru, was added by the Japanese in the early 1700’s (end of Genroku, beginning of Hohei Era). The most common version of the game – Hachi-nin Meri – is played by eight players divided in two teams of four members each. The ultimate goal of the game is to score the greater number of tricks (or hands) in a total of 8 rounds.

The Un-Sun Karuta was nearly lost in the 1700s when gambling was forbidden in the whole of Japan (up to today), surviving only in Hitoyoshi. The game was designated Kumamoto cultural heritage in 1965 and, after its revival in 1974, it became a national renowned card game with teams from all over the country disputing a championship in the beginning of October. The championship takes place in Hitoyoshi in a cosy tatami room decorated with Portuguese maps, coins and tiles gathered throughout the years. In 2004, this annual event counted with the presence of the Portuguese Ambassador in Japan.

An article on the Un-Sun Karuta will follow after this year’s championship, October 10.