Men compete in national Japanese card game contest

Men compete in national Japanese card game contest

OTSU, Japan - Satoshi Kishida (R) and Kentaro Haruno compete for the "Meijin" (Master) title at an annual national "karuta" Japanese card game tournament in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 10, 2015. Kishida retained the title in the men's division for the third year in a row.

Male card game champion retains title in national contest

Male card game champion retains title in national contest

OTSU, Japan - Satoshi Kishida (R) and Kentaro Haruno compete for the "Meijin" (Master) title at an annual national tournament of the "karuta" Japanese card game in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 10, 2015. Kishida retained the title in the men's division for the third year in a row.

Actor Yamamoto plays Yoshitsune in Iwate festival

Actor Yamamoto plays Yoshitsune in Iwate festival

HIRAIZUMI, Japan - Playing the role of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a tragic warrior in the 12th century, in a parade, actor Yusuke Yamamoto waves on horseback to spectators in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture, on May 3, 2014, during the "Haruno Fujiwara Matsuri" (Spring Fujiwara Festival). The cultural heritage of Hiraizumi has been included on the World Heritage List.

Japanese storyteller performs in New York

Japanese storyteller performs in New York

NEW YORK, United States - Japanese "rokyoku" storyteller Keiko Haruno (L) performs traditional narrative singing in English in New York on March 5, 2014.

Japanese tells story in traditional style in New York

Japanese tells story in traditional style in New York

NEW YORK, United States - Japanese "rokyoku" storyteller Keiko Haruno conducts traditional narrative singing in English in New York on March 5, 2014.

Japanese "rokyoku" storyteller to perform in N.Y.

Japanese "rokyoku" storyteller to perform in N.Y.

OSAKA, Japan - Photo taken Oct. 24, 2013, shows "rokyoku" storyteller Keiko Haruno, who will make her first overseas performance in New York in March 2014 with money raised on an online crowdfunding platform.

Male card game champion retains title in national contest

Male card game champion retains title in national contest

OTSU, Japan - Satoshi Kishida (R) and Kentaro Haruno compete for the "Meijin" (Master) title at an annual national tournament of the "karuta" Japanese card game in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 10, 2015. Kishida retained the title in the men's division for the third year in a row. (Kyodo)