Wataya Hajime
Eternal Meijin who achieved 7 consecutive championships
Legendary figure, the Eternal Meijin who achieved 7 consecutive championships in the 1980s. Grandfather of Wataya Arata, revered as the God of Karuta.
Quotes
- The God of Karuta, Wataya Hajime.
- Arata, even if you try to be gentle, it's impossible on the tatami.
- Even if you lose, stay in love with karuta.
Trivia
- Legendary powerhouse who achieved 7 consecutive championships in the 1980s and became the Eternal Meijin.
- Continued coaching and influencing his grandson Arata until the end of his life.
- Never lost passion for competitive karuta despite cerebral infarction rendering his right side immobile.
- Forgot karuta due to dementia but urged Arata to compete upon regaining consciousness.
- Arata's God of Karuta and the master who influenced him most.
Alternate names
Wataya Hajime
Arata Wataya (eng)
Profile
- Species
- Human
- Gender
- Male
Appearance
- Overall appearance
- Elderly man who, despite right-side paralysis due to illness, spiritually supported the karuta world.
- Distinguishing features
-
- Right-side paralysis
- Elderly
Personality and abilities
- Core personality
- Revered
- Detailed personality
- Serves as a master to his grandson Arata and is revered as the 'God of Karuta.' Respected as a legendary figure by competitors. Possessing a strong will, he watched over the competitive karuta world until the very end.
- Keywords
-
- Legend
- Master
- Eternal Meijin
- Aloof
- Spiritual pillar
- Talents
-
- Acquired Eternal Meijin rank
- Holds consecutive championship record
- Exceptional karuta intuition
- Skills
-
- Karuta competition coaching
- Tactics formulation
- Motivation
- To pass down karuta techniques and spirit to future generations.
History
- Backstory
- Known as the Eternal Meijin after achieving 7 consecutive championships in the 1980s. In his later years, he lived a life of illness due to cerebral infarction and dementia, but spent time in Fukui with his grandson and continued influencing the karuta world.
- Debut date
- 1980s
- Work title
- Chihayafuru
- Media type
- Manga
Achieved 7 consecutive championships
- Significant event
- Achieved 7 consecutive championships
- Description
- In the 1980s, won the Meijin title consecutively for 7 years in competitive karuta and received the Eternal Meijin rank.
Onset of cerebral infarction
- Significant event
- Onset of cerebral infarction
- Description
- Suffered cerebral infarction in his later years, losing freedom of his right side, but continued coaching his grandson Arata.
Onset of dementia
- Significant event
- Onset of dementia
- Description
- Dementia progressed to the point where he could no longer understand karuta, but upon recovery of consciousness, urged Arata to participate in the tournament, having a significant impact.
Death
- Significant event
- Death
- Description
- Collapsed while his grandson Arata was competing in a tournament and passed away afterward. Brought great sorrow to the karuta world.
Relationships
Wataya Arata
Grandfather
Grandson. Deep bond and master-disciple relationship, inheriting the path of competitive karuta.
Competitive Karuta Community
Competitive Karuta Community: mentor
Media appearances
Chihayafuru
Manga
Serialized 2007-2022
Chihayafuru
Anime
Aired 2011-2020, 3 seasons
Chihayafuru -Upper Phrase-, -Lower Phrase-, -Conclusion-
Movie
Released 2016-2018
Chihayafuru -Meguri-
TV drama
Scheduled to air in 2025
Voice cast and creators
Kintaku Arimoto
- Voice actor
- Kintaku Arimoto
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- TV Anime
Masane Tsukayama
- Voice actor
- Masane Tsukayama
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Live-action Movies
Yuki Suekane
- Creator name
- Yuki Suekane
- Role
- Original author