Portuguese explorers reached Japan in 1542 or 1543 bringing their playing cards with them. Their cards were banned in a prohibition of 1648; however, they re-appeared in disguised forms and evolved into several variant types.

In general terms, Japanese playing cards are of two types: 'Awase' or 'matching pairs' cards and Portuguese or Spanish-derived 'Dragon' type cards. These have dragons on the aces and are believed to have originated in Spain, Italy or Portugal. There are several varieties of the latter type, including 'Mekuri' or 'Tensho' cards, 'Unsun karuta', 'Kabu' cards and 'Hana Fuda'.