【Long-established Company × NPO】Kyoto's Oishi Tengudo's 220 Years of Traditional Craft Visualizes "Invisible Housework & Childcare Burden"!
NPO Hito Connect Hyogo and Kyoto's long-established Karuta manufacturer Oishi Tengudo collaborated to launch "Shiretto Yuko-san Karuta," a card game that visualizes the "invisible burden" of housework and childcare. Expected to promote family dialogue, it also aims for adoption in local government events and corporate training/welfare programs.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 18:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 09:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 09:46 (14 min after Collected)
Life Assist Pro, operated by NPO Hito Connect Hyogo (Location: Hyogo Prefecture), has collaborated with Kyoto's long-established karuta manufacturer "Oishi Tengudo Co., Ltd." to produce "Shiretto Yuko-san Karuta," a card game utilizing original characters to visualize the "invisible burden (care work)" of housework and childcare. The game is now available for sale on their official e-commerce site.
As a communication tool to encourage family dialogue, it is not only gaining attention for general gift demand but also for its adoption in local government gender equality events and as a welfare benefit (gifts for employees on maternity/paternity leave) and in-house training tool for companies.
Shiretto Yuko-san Karuta Cards
■ "Reiwa Karuta" born from the encounter of traditional craftsmanship and modern social issues
With over 220 years of history since its founding in 1800 (Kansei 12), the reliable manufacturing capabilities of Kyoto's long-established karuta manufacturer and the content expertise of an NPO addressing modern social issues have merged to create a new era of karuta.
Developed jointly by a team of experts including short-time housework coordinators, organizing and storage advisors, registered dietitians, and childcare workers.
■ Why "Oishi Tengudo"?
This product is not merely a game, but designed as a "tool" to generate family dialogue. Therefore, we insisted on the quality and technique of the long-established company that has been a mainstream bearer of Japanese karuta culture, and requested Oishi Tengudo to manufacture it.
By utilizing the traditional karuta cultural form of "reading aloud and competing to take cards" and incorporating the new theme of modern housework and childcare issues, it has become content that all family members can naturally approach as "their own business."
Visit to Oishi Tengudo Visit to Oishi Tengudo
■ About Oishi Tengudo Co., Ltd.
Founded in 1800 (Kansei 12). Headquartered in Kyoto, it is one of Japan's leading karuta and playing card manufacturers. For over 220 years, this long-established company has supported Japan's traditional card culture, including Hyakunin Isshu, Hanafuda, and playing cards. Its reliable manufacturing technology and quality are highly regarded both domestically and internationally.
■ Who is "Shiretto Yuko-san"?
Yuko-san, a working mother on her second childcare leave, is the main character. The karuta depicts 46 scenes of realistic struggles many modern women face, such as cold attitudes from bosses, husbands refusing paternity leave, and raising older children.
Yuko-san's style of "casually" conveying her true feelings without exploding in frustration resonates with many, and the karuta promotes natural dialogue within the family.
■ Product Overview
Product Name: Everyone Notices Housework, Childcare, and Consideration "Shiretto Yuko-san Karuta"
Contents: 46 picture cards, 46 reading cards, 1 instruction manual (Package size: 18 x 12.6 x 2.6 cm)
Manufacturer: Oishi Tengudo Co., Ltd. (Kyoto)
Sales Price: 3,982 yen (tax included)
Sales Location: Official EC site (stores) https://lifeassistpro.stores.jp/
Shiretto Yuko-san Karuta Cards
■ Track Record of Municipal Adoption and Media Exposure
This karuta initiative has already attracted attention from various quarters.
● Adopted as a project hosted by Sanda City Human Rights and Gender Equality Plaza - A six-month LINE sticker creation project was implemented.
● Karuta adopted for gender equality events in Aioi City and Ashiya City.
● Karuta exhibition and workshop held at the "Childcare Support Messe."
● Published in Kobe Shimbun NEXT (Sanda Edition) (January 2026).
● Appearance on KBS Kyoto Radio "Shofukutei Koraku's Hokkahoka Radio" decided (scheduled for May 8, 2026).
■ Empathy spreading through radio appearance
Following the announcement on PR TIMES, we received a request to appear on KBS Kyoto's "Shofukutei Koraku's Hokkahoka Radio."
Broadcast Date: May 8, 2026 (Friday) around 7:15 AM - approx. 10-15 minutes
On the program, the background of "Shiretto Yuko-san" and the "invisible burden" within families will be introduced through the cultural approach of karuta.
■ Can be utilized in the following problem-solving and scenarios
This karuta is ideal as a tool to deepen "housework and childcare sharing" and "understanding diversity" for individuals and corporations alike.
Karuta Experience Event - Kobe City Nishi Ward
【For Companies and Municipalities: As a training or welfare tool】
Pre-education for expectant parents (pre-papas/pre-mamas): For workshops that create a foundation for dialogue as part of gender equality, promotion of paternity/maternity leave acquisition, and health management initiatives in companies.
Welfare benefits (support gifts): As a gift from the company with a message of support for employees going on maternity/paternity leave.
Event planning: As a lecture/experience tool at childcare support events hosted by local governments or gender equality centers.
【For General Public: As a gift or trigger for family dialogue】
Thoughtful gifts: For friends or family members who are about to go on maternity/paternity leave, or as a baby shower gift.
As a communication tool to encourage family dialogue, it is not only gaining attention for general gift demand but also for its adoption in local government gender equality events and as a welfare benefit (gifts for employees on maternity/paternity leave) and in-house training tool for companies.
Shiretto Yuko-san Karuta Cards
■ "Reiwa Karuta" born from the encounter of traditional craftsmanship and modern social issues
With over 220 years of history since its founding in 1800 (Kansei 12), the reliable manufacturing capabilities of Kyoto's long-established karuta manufacturer and the content expertise of an NPO addressing modern social issues have merged to create a new era of karuta.
Developed jointly by a team of experts including short-time housework coordinators, organizing and storage advisors, registered dietitians, and childcare workers.
■ Why "Oishi Tengudo"?
This product is not merely a game, but designed as a "tool" to generate family dialogue. Therefore, we insisted on the quality and technique of the long-established company that has been a mainstream bearer of Japanese karuta culture, and requested Oishi Tengudo to manufacture it.
By utilizing the traditional karuta cultural form of "reading aloud and competing to take cards" and incorporating the new theme of modern housework and childcare issues, it has become content that all family members can naturally approach as "their own business."
Visit to Oishi Tengudo Visit to Oishi Tengudo
■ About Oishi Tengudo Co., Ltd.
Founded in 1800 (Kansei 12). Headquartered in Kyoto, it is one of Japan's leading karuta and playing card manufacturers. For over 220 years, this long-established company has supported Japan's traditional card culture, including Hyakunin Isshu, Hanafuda, and playing cards. Its reliable manufacturing technology and quality are highly regarded both domestically and internationally.
■ Who is "Shiretto Yuko-san"?
Yuko-san, a working mother on her second childcare leave, is the main character. The karuta depicts 46 scenes of realistic struggles many modern women face, such as cold attitudes from bosses, husbands refusing paternity leave, and raising older children.
Yuko-san's style of "casually" conveying her true feelings without exploding in frustration resonates with many, and the karuta promotes natural dialogue within the family.
■ Product Overview
Product Name: Everyone Notices Housework, Childcare, and Consideration "Shiretto Yuko-san Karuta"
Contents: 46 picture cards, 46 reading cards, 1 instruction manual (Package size: 18 x 12.6 x 2.6 cm)
Manufacturer: Oishi Tengudo Co., Ltd. (Kyoto)
Sales Price: 3,982 yen (tax included)
Sales Location: Official EC site (stores) https://lifeassistpro.stores.jp/
Shiretto Yuko-san Karuta Cards
■ Track Record of Municipal Adoption and Media Exposure
This karuta initiative has already attracted attention from various quarters.
● Adopted as a project hosted by Sanda City Human Rights and Gender Equality Plaza - A six-month LINE sticker creation project was implemented.
● Karuta adopted for gender equality events in Aioi City and Ashiya City.
● Karuta exhibition and workshop held at the "Childcare Support Messe."
● Published in Kobe Shimbun NEXT (Sanda Edition) (January 2026).
● Appearance on KBS Kyoto Radio "Shofukutei Koraku's Hokkahoka Radio" decided (scheduled for May 8, 2026).
■ Empathy spreading through radio appearance
Following the announcement on PR TIMES, we received a request to appear on KBS Kyoto's "Shofukutei Koraku's Hokkahoka Radio."
Broadcast Date: May 8, 2026 (Friday) around 7:15 AM - approx. 10-15 minutes
On the program, the background of "Shiretto Yuko-san" and the "invisible burden" within families will be introduced through the cultural approach of karuta.
■ Can be utilized in the following problem-solving and scenarios
This karuta is ideal as a tool to deepen "housework and childcare sharing" and "understanding diversity" for individuals and corporations alike.
Karuta Experience Event - Kobe City Nishi Ward
【For Companies and Municipalities: As a training or welfare tool】
Pre-education for expectant parents (pre-papas/pre-mamas): For workshops that create a foundation for dialogue as part of gender equality, promotion of paternity/maternity leave acquisition, and health management initiatives in companies.
Welfare benefits (support gifts): As a gift from the company with a message of support for employees going on maternity/paternity leave.
Event planning: As a lecture/experience tool at childcare support events hosted by local governments or gender equality centers.
【For General Public: As a gift or trigger for family dialogue】
Thoughtful gifts: For friends or family members who are about to go on maternity/paternity leave, or as a baby shower gift.