The Introduction of “TOKO TOKO KIGO CARTA”

 

“TOKO TOKO KIGO CARTA” was born as the first Japanese card game for children who carry the future - to learn beautiful Japanese “season words” and have fun while doing so.

For example, the spring season word “yama warau” (mountain smile) means the smile a mountain appears to have when covered with cherry blossoms and young buds.  “Kaze hikaru” describes the wind’s crisp brilliance in early spring.  By learning these season words, you will become aware of and appreciate the sensitivity of Japanese words.

 

<What’s TOKOTOKO KIGO CARTA?>

 

1)     This card game consists of 52 season words; 13 for each season.  Each word was carefully chosen for children.  The cards are split between Haiku Reading cards and Picture cards.  Each Haiku was created by the members of “HAIKUZA SEASONS”, and 2 Haiku made specifically for TOKO TOKO KIGO CARTA by renown Haiku Poet Madoka Mayuzumi, the editorial supervisor.

 

2)     The Reading cards contain Haiku, and the Picture cards represent corresponding season words.  A leader will read the Haiku to the players.  Players listen to the Haiku and search for the picture card representing the season word. The pictures are drawn in a simple way so players can feel the air and sound, letting imagination flow with a minimum of visual cues.

 

3)     The season word Picture cards are grouped into 9 series - “annual events”, “the sky”, “flowers”, “the wind”, “the mountain”, “creatures”, “foods”, “play” and “others”.  A common scene is illustrated within “sky”, “wind” and “mountains”.  For example, you can see the season changes for the same scene if you lay out card by card for “the sky”.  After the card game, additional points can be added if you have a complete set of cards for one series. You can also search for secret numbers hidden within “annual events” from January through December – adding to the fun!       

 

4)     If the cards are flipped over, you can create a beautiful picture of the seasonal changes – we didn’t dare to include a completed picture image within the package so you can test your patience to complete.  Please take your time and create a picture with your family!

 

5)     A 28-page booklet is included to explain the season words in Japanese so those who are not familiar with Haiku can better understand the season words and Haiku.  We recommend adults in particular to read the booklet in order to better appreciate the meanings!

 

6)     TOKO TOKO refers to the sound of footsteps in Japanese – but it is also a creative portmanteau-like combination of the Japanese phrases “Oya to Ko” (parents & children) and “Sensei to Ko” (teachers & children) – let’s play and enjoy the game, and go outside to find season words.

 

7)     This game is for all generations – from small children to the elderly.

 

 

 

TOKO TOKO KIGO CARTA　

 

Produced by:  HAIKUZA☆SEASONS　 Editorial Supervisor: Madoka Mayuzumi

 

Illustrations:  Kazue Takahashi　

 

Design: Shinji Odagiri　　

 

Picture cards/Reading cards　52 cards per each  　

Booklet (28- page)

 

HAIKUZA☆SEASONS    http://homepage2.nifty.com/haikuza-seasons/