Ukiyo-E (Nintendo)
Classic examples of Ukiyo-E painting.
Ukiyo-E is a genre of Japanese art (woodblock prints and paintings) which flourished from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Some classic examples of Ukiyo-E painting are featured on the court cards and on one of the Jokers in this pack. The Kings, Queens and Joker are courtesans, the Jacks actors. The names of the artists are not provided. The maker’s name is on the Ace of Spades. The attractive back design (also reproduced on the lid of the box) depicts a doll (head and shoulders only) representing a Japanese woman in national costume. Packs exist with either a gold or a silver border. See the box►
Above: Ukiyo-E playing cards made by Nintendo Playing Card Co. Ltd, Kyoto, Japan, 1969. 52 cards + 2 Jokers in plastic box. Size: 57 x 87 mm.
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022 • Contact
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
Related Articles
Playing cards with prints by Sumio Kawakami
Woodblock print designs created by Sumio Kawakami in 1938-9, each card having a different illustrati...
Nippon Beer
Nippon Beer brewery playing cards published by Nintendo, Japan, 1960s.
Chandelier No. 55 (Nintendo)
Standard international pattern playing cards made in occupied Japan, c.1950.
Loco Jumbo playing cards
54 different colour photographs of steam locomotives from around the world.
Haig Whisky
Japanese advertising pack for Haig Scotch whisky with modified international courts.
Kawasaki Trump
Humorous publicity pack for Kawasaki featuring some of their many products.
Maxim playing cards
Publicity pack from Nintendo for Maxim freeze dried coffee.
Salmon playing cards
13 colour photographs showing the life cycle of the salmon by Nintendo, Japan.
Crazyrider playing cards
Stylised portrayal of rock musicians from the 1980s.
Nintendo deck with Medieval theme
Courts in medieval costume holding both French and Italian/Spanish suit-signs.
Unimol playing cards
Advertising pack for a pharmaceutical company, with brightly coloured courts.
Torys Western Cards
Promotional pack for a brand of Japanese whisky, featuring comic Wild West characters.
Laser Clay playing cards
Pack promoting the Laser Clay Shooting System created by Nintendo in 1973.
Fujitsu playing cards
Colourful advertising pack for Fujitsu Limited, reminiscent of the flower power/psychedelic era.
Back to Country
Advertising playing cards for a Japanese fashion house, with reversed colours.
Sanyo Ukiyo-E
Ukiyo-E deck for Sanyo Enterprise Co.
Ainu culture
A terrific deck of cards made by Nintendo c.1979 with original designs on every card showing the Ain...
Hiroshige Ukiyo-e playing cards
“Hiroshige” playing cards drawn by Hiroshige Ando (1797-1858) at 53 stopoffs on the journey from Edo...
Kabufuda
Kabufuda playing cards manufactured by Nintendo, Japan
Hanafuda Flower Cards
Japanese Flower Cards (Hanafuda) made by Nintendo, Japan, 2008.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
