2016.05.20
Nozomi Hamano, a third-year student in the Faculty of Policy Management, placed second in the 55th All-Japan Karuta Championship, held on Sunday, April 18, at Hotel Foresta in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. Although she narrowly missed winning the championship, the All-Japan Karuta Championship is one of the three major tournaments in competitive karuta, alongside the Meijin and Queen Match and the National Invitational Tournament. This year's event was a prestigious competition attended by 93 Class A players, including the reigning Meijin and Queen, who are at the pinnacle of the sport.
Comments from Nozomi Hamano
I am overjoyed to have placed second in such a prestigious tournament. Last year, I was able to win the university championship, but this tournament was attended by many of the top players in the world of competitive karuta, including the Meijin and Queen. Achieving this result in such a competition has given me even more confidence, and I've gotten off to a great start for 2016. The number of karuta players is increasing thanks to the influence of the movie "Chihayafuru." I hope to become a role model for everyone at the Keio Karuta Club and a player that all karuta players across the country can look up to. Thank you very much.