Beautiful ukiyo-e tarot cards are East-meets-West in more ways than one
Japan’s famous woodblock prints meet Occidental-style fortune-telling.
Although the history of tarot cards stretches back to at least the 15th century, the popular divination tools didn’t become well-known in Japan until after World War II. But despite their late arrival in the country’s popular imagination, the cards of the Major and Minor Arcana still look incredibly cool when given a Japanese makeover.
これは、おもろい浮世絵タロット https://t.co/bsVpaBvka6
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ルシア (@AngelicoLuce) June 05, 2016
The Japanese Internet has recently been gushing over the Ukiyo-e Tarot set, which replaces the Western medieval or Renaissance-style artwork so commonly found on the cards with illustrations employing the motifs of ukiyo-e, Japanese woodblock prints that reached the height of their popularity during the final days of the Shogunate in the early 19th century.
一目惚れしてポチってしまった浮世絵タロット。 実際に占いするのかどうかは謎。 浮世絵はいいぞ。 https://t.co/lH4qX3136P
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十二月一日 絵梨 (@Spicer_E) March 17, 2016
タロットカードって 西洋のイメージですが 浮世絵タロットは 和風 ジャパニーズタロットなので とっても 素敵です💕 絵柄も 江戸っ子風で 粋ですよね(*^^*) https://t.co/OKM7BWzYSb
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Mignon (@MignonSse1969) August 24, 2016
Whereas the suits of orthodox tarot cards are often designated as swords, wands, pentacles, and cups, those of the ukiyo-e set bear the images of katana, shakujo (Buddhist monk staves), dosen (Japanese coins), and sakazuki (sake cups).
この浮世絵タロットのカップのⅨのカードは ミニョンの大好きな 一枚です。 鯉の滝登りを イメージして 描かれた 一枚です💕 竜門を登ることのできた鯉は竜になるという 立身出世の たとえですね♡ https://t.co/XYM90q36Wh
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Mignon (@MignonSse1969) August 24, 2016
こちらは 浮世絵タロットの愚者です。 こちらは 犬が 描かれていますね 犬は 境界の守護者 こちら側とあちら側の世界→聖なる世界を 汚さぬように https://t.co/zx9Qj3rsAD
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Mignon (@MignonSse1969) August 24, 2016
But while the Ukiyo-e Tarot are causing a buzz in Japan, they’re actually produced by an American company: Connecticut-based U.S. Games Systems. Nevertheless, their aesthetics have enchanted fans in Japan, who appreciate the tip of the hat to Japan’s most recognizable artistic movement.
▼ “My Ukiyo-e Tarot came! Such lovely tarot cards.”
浮世絵タロット届いた~🎌 なんて素敵なタロットカード✨ https://t.co/Mr0zsLqSoq
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AKANE♡아카네 (@akapqo) September 22, 2016
▼ “This is the Ukiyo-e Tarot Hermit…He looks like a nice middle-aged guy♥”
こちらは 浮世絵タロットの隠者です(笑) 気のいい おじさまという カンジですね♡ https://t.co/MMYq7kg0Ut
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Mignon (@MignonSse1969) August 24, 2016
The Ukiyo-e Tarot are available through Japanese online retailer Rakuten here, priced at 2,862 yen (US$25), and can also be ordered directly from U.S. Games Systems here for US$21.95.
Source: Japaaan
Featured image: Twitter/@AngelicoLuce
Top, insert images: U.S. Games Systems (edited by RocketNews24)
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