New Year's poem card game held in Kyoto

In something like a traditional version of a TV game show, an annual New Year's card game has been held at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto, western Japan.

Twenty-six people aged 8 to 24 took part in the game on Monday that features a collection of 100 Tanka, short poems, from the 7th through 13th centuries.

Cards bearing the latter halves of the poems were arranged before the participants who wore traditional costumes, sitting face to face in pairs on a stage in the shrine.

The players listened to a recitation of the first half of a poem and tried to hit the corresponding card faster than their opponent.

More than 500 visitors watched and took photos.

A man with his family said the game was gorgeous and that he hopes one day his child will take part in the event.