Seira Yajima (1st year, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies) won the 70th Queen Title Match in competitive karuta, assuming the 70th Queen title and achieving her first successful title defense.
The Meijin and Queen Title Matches are the competitions to determine the best male and female competitive karuta players in Japan. They are held every January at Omi Jingu Shrine (Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture), which enshrines Emperor Tenji, the author of the first poem in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu. Ms. Yajima won the Queen title as a high school senior in the 69th Queen Title Match held on January 11, 2025. In this 70th Queen Title Match, she faced a challenger who had won the qualifiers, putting her first title defense on the line.
Comment from Seira Yajima
I have successfully defended my title for the first time in the Queen Title Match, the pinnacle of competitive karuta, and have assumed the 70th Queen title. I strongly desired to enter Keio University, which is known for its strength in karuta, and to excel as one of the Keio students, so I am relieved to have achieved this result. I would like to express my gratitude to the seniors who prepared the practice environment and the teachers who supported me. I believe I am at an approachable age compared to past Queens, so as one of the Keio students, I want to continue sharing the appeal of competitive karuta to further its development and hope to continue defending the Queen title during my time at the university.
Source: Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC) Office, General Affairs