Pick up that card as fast as you can!
Hyakunin Isshu, or more importantly in this case, Ogrua Hyakunin Isshu, is a card game that has been popular in Japan for hundreds of years. There are a total of one hundred cards each containing a classical poem written in Japanese. The game is a kind of karuta (based on the Portuguese word for card, carta), which consists of placing all the cards face up, and then having a reader call out a card to which the players search for and grab as quickly as possible. Hyakunin Isshu has one of these classical poems written on each card, so as the reader starts reading the poem, the players have to search frantically to find the correct card and pick it up. The person who collects the most cards wins.
Nintendo’s sets are varied in price based on materials used and stylization. There are a total of seven different sets available and a CD with the readings for each poem. The game is typically played by Japanese during the New Year’s holiday and is even played competitively on the national stage.
Here we have the two top of the line sets that Nintendo has to offer. First up is the Tokusen (Select) set which sells for 31,500 yen (about $315 USD) and the Gokujyō (Best) set selling for 12,600 yen (about $126 USD). The biggest differences here are the cases and stylization used on the cards. Both feature a gold leaf style paper back on the cards.
The Kasen (Great Poet) set at the top sells for 5,250 yen (about $52.50 USD) and the Kyōgiyo (Competition) set for 4,725 yen (about $47.25 USD). Both boxes are high quality Japanese paper boxes.
Here we have the Arashiyama (Stormy Mountain) with CD set for 3,150 yen ($31.50 USD) and Heian (referring to the period in Japanese history) set for 2,625 yen (about $26.25 USD).
Finally, we have the Maioōgi (Dancer's Fan) set for 1,575 yen (about $15.75 USD) and the CD with the readings for the poems for 2,100 yen (about $21 USD). The CD isn't necessary to play the game but is available for people who are interested.
Note: The exchange rate at the time of writing was roughly $1 USD = 100 yen.
