Competitive Karuta Demonstration

Date: Wednesday, January 28th

Time: 12-1 p.m.

Location: Arlington Central Library, Quincy Room

Competitive Karuta, Japan’s last hidden cultural gem, comes to Arlington! Experience a thrilling mind sport where classical poetry, memory, speed, and reflexes come together.

Legendary karuta player Keitaro Kumehara, 8th Dan, the winner of 51 times A-class National Championships, Meijin from 2019 to 2021, and currently ranked #1 in competitive karuta, will come to the SJA’s Japanese conversation class!

Shohei Ohtani of the competitive karuta world, Meijin Kumehara will showcase his incredible speed and masterful techniques in a live demonstration. Don’t miss this first-ever Meijin performance in the United States! (Performers’ Profile)

Questions? Email info@sjastudy.org. We hope you will attend!

Note: By attending this event, you agree that any photos/videos taken of you may be used in future marketing materials for SJA and Karuta organizations.

For those who cannot attend the Karuta session on January 28 at the library, there will be another opportunity to see the Karuta presentation on Sunday, February 1st at the Embassy of Japan.  

Date & Time

February 1, 2026 (Sunday)
10:00-12:00 Karuta Presentation

12:00-18:00 The 1st US Open Tournament

Venue

Embassy of Japan in the United States of America

2520 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, U.S.A

If you are interested in attending the presentation, please register from this link.

More information can be found here.