The 48 card JK 22 set was distributed as a New Year's 1953 gift to purchasers of the magazine. Cards were originally issued in uncut sheets of six cards that were to be cut into single cards used to play the game of iroha karuta. The cards are referred to on the original box as "karuta", but unlike other karuta cards, they have no hiragana characters. On the other hand, as is typical of karuta cards, each player card has an associated reading card. Both cards are included in this lot.

Victor Starffin is the legendary Russian pitcher who, after emigrating to Japan, became Japan Pro Baseball's first 300 game winner. He appeared in the 1934 U.S. Major League All Stars Tour of Japan, pitching to such legends as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. He entered Japan Pro Baseball in 1936, and his career lasted into the mid 1950s. Shortly after his retirement, he was killed in a car crash.  The back of the player (picture) card contains an interesting, gift wrapped ball and cross bats design. The blank backed reading card contains text reading "Stars giant pitcher Starffin". Starffin, at 6' 3", was certainly one of the tallest, if not the tallest player in Japan Pro Baseball at the time.

Size: 1 7/8" x 2 1/4"

Condition: Both the player card and the reading card are Nm/Mt.