Hajime Wataya is the grandfather of Arata Wataya. He reigned as a master of karuta for 7 consecutive years during the 1980s. He was highly renowned and respected in the karuta world.

Spoiler

Hajime and Arata were very close. He taught Arata how to play karuta. When Hajime got sick, Arata and his family moved back in order to take care of him. He died on the day Arata went to a competition and got to Class A in karuta.