On January 3, 2024, at Yasaka Shrine in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, the annual New Year's "Karuta Begin Ceremony" was held. Karuta Hime, dressed in Heian costume, performed her first moves.
It was sponsored by Yasaka Shrine, with cooperation from the Kinki Branch of the All Japan Karuta Association. The "Karuta Beginner Ceremony" has been held since 1971.
On this day, 12 women between the ages of 9 and 29 who belong to the Kinki Karuta Association faced each other in pairs on the Noh stage in the shrine grounds, holding 40 cards between them. Unlike the competitive karuta game, where players compete quickly, the karuta princess, wearing a scarlet hakama or uchiki, holds her thighs and gently places her hand on her card, adding to the elegant event.
