Daijirou Ise

Ise is authoritative, experienced and strongly committed to preserving and expanding competitive karuta. His status comes from both sides of the game: he has personally reached its highest male title multiple times and later works within the institutions responsible for organizing it.

His approach to developing talent can be severe. When confronted with Shinobu's overwhelming childhood ability, Ise prioritizes making her stronger over allowing her to participate normally with children her own age.

He nevertheless sees his work as serving karuta's future. Beyond individual players, Ise devotes considerable effort to strengthening the game's culture in western Japan and uses his position within the association to influence its development.

Ise is a five-time former Meijin and an eighth-dan Class A player. Those achievements place him among the most accomplished competitors of an earlier generation and give his opinions considerable authority within the karuta community.

His experience extends into teaching and administration. As president of the Kyoto Myojo Society, he has overseen the development of other players and understands how training environments affect elite competitors.

Later administrative responsibilities give him influence beyond the tatami. Ise works through the Karuta Association to promote the game and strengthen its presence, particularly in western Japan.

Ise first enters the wider story through the competitive institutions surrounding the Queen and Meijin titles. His history as a former Meijin places him among the senior figures capable of evaluating the current generation from direct experience.

His connection to Shinobu becomes increasingly important as the story examines why the reigning Queen has such difficulty forming ordinary relationships through karuta. As a child, Shinobu was already so strong that other children could not compete with her normally.

Ise deliberately kept Shinobu from playing with children her own age after she began throwing matches in order to keep friends. The decision strengthened her competitive development but contributed to the isolation she later associates with karuta and with Ise himself.

Ise's later work within the Karuta Association expands his role from former champion to administrator, making him part of the effort to shape how competitive karuta develops beyond the current title holders.

Shinobu Wakamiya trained at Ise's Kyoto Myojo Society during childhood. Daijirou Ise recognizes Shinobu Wakamiya's exceptional talent, but his uncompromising approach to developing it leaves their relationship strained.

Hisashi Suou, as the reigning Meijin, occupies the title Ise himself held five times. Daijirou Ise's former championship experience gives him direct knowledge of the position held by Hisashi Suou and of the institutions surrounding the title.