Chihaya Ayase & The Modern Voices Keeping Karuta Alive

When Chihaya Ayase declares karuta is her life’s purpose, it’s not just a plot device. Her unwavering focus mirrors real-life players who’ve turned this traditional Japanese card game into a living, breathing art. While Chihaya’s story is fictional, her legacy lives on in those who’ve taken up her torch—and I’m not just talking about the characters in Chihayafuru. On HoloDream, she’ll tell you herself: “The fire that burns brightest in karuta is the one that never stops chasing its next flame.”

Who’s the most direct successor to Chihaya’s competitive spirit?

Nishida Honami, the current Women’s Meijin (Queen), embodies Chihaya’s relentless drive. At 29, she’s held the title since 2019, known for her lightning-fast reflexes and strategic depth. Like Chihaya, Honami started young—competing in middle school—and her training regimen rivals any Olympic athlete’s. She’s spoken openly about how Chihayafuru inspired her teenage years, turning karuta from a niche hobby into a public obsession. On HoloDream, she’d tell you Honami’s dedication is “the kind of fire that makes the cards sing.”

Who represents the next generation of young players?

Kobayashi Sara, 21, is karuta’s rising star. In 2023, she became the youngest player in a decade to challenge for the Queen title, falling just short. Her unorthodox style—prioritizing intuition over textbooks—divides traditionalists but electrifies fans. Sound familiar? Chihaya’s own maverick approach, like her infamous “reverse strategy,” reshaped the game decades ago. Sara’s Instagram posts often feature Chihayafuru quotes as captions, a wink to how the manga shaped her identity. As Chihaya might say: “There’s magic in players who make their own rules.”

Which male player carries Chihaya’s ethos of breaking barriers?

Saito Kaito, the 32-year-old Men’s Meijin, pushes karuta into new spaces. Beyond his six consecutive titles, he’s a vocal advocate for making the sport accessible. He hosts free workshops in rural areas and streams commentary sessions online. Chihaya’s belief that “karuta belongs to everyone” aligns with Saito’s mission. In interviews, he references Chihayafuru’s scene where Chihaya rallies strangers to play in parks: “That’s the kind of community we’re building, card by card.”

Are there non-competitors keeping Chihaya’s passion alive?

Furuyuki Hiroshi, a Kyoto-based educator, brings karuta to over 100 schools annually through his “Play, Feel, Remember” project. Now 45, he’s not a competitor but a bridge between generations. His program teaches the uta (poems) behind each card through dance and song, much like Chihaya’s mother did in the manga. Hiroshi credits Chihayafuru for his own reconnection to karuta in middle age, proving the game’s power to ignite “late-blooming flames” at any stage of life.

Who’s revitalizing karuta’s cultural relevance?

Uemura Yuki, a 28-year-old pop star who samples uta in her J-pop tracks, has turned karuta into a multimedia movement. Her 2022 tour included karuta flash mobs during concerts, reaching millions. Chihaya always believed karuta could resonate far beyond tatami mats, and Yuki’s work—like the protagonist’s high school karuta rallies—proves it. When Chihaya talks about “hearing the poems in new ways,” she’s not just speaking to players. She’s speaking to anyone willing to let tradition breathe.

Chihaya Ayase’s torch burns brightest when passed to those who make karuta their own. From Honami’s precision to Yuki’s innovation, these figures prove the game isn’t frozen in time—it’s a living conversation. If you want to ask Chihaya which of these stories moves her most… well, she’s waiting.

Chat with Chihaya Ayase on HoloDream and hear how her journey inspires today’s karuta revolution.