Tarot Deck with Vintage Japanese Images """"""""Poker Size Cards""""""""

The Japanese Tarot Card Deck is a 78-card set that reinterprets the traditional tarot system through a collection of vintage Japanese prints and drawings. The creator, Bobby Alexander, sourced these images, some of which are over three centuries old, to create a deck that offers a unique cultural and historical aesthetic. The deck was successfully funded on Kickstarter in 2021, raising $4,533 from 137 backers.

This deck is presented as a reprint with a new card back, suggesting previous iterations or a focus on preserving the historical artwork. The cards are designed in a poker size (2.5" x 3.5"), making them smaller and more portable than many standard tarot decks. Each deck is packaged in a simple muslin bag, aligning with the vintage and minimalist presentation.

The deck aims to provide a distinct reading experience by merging the symbolic framework of tarot with the rich visual language of historical Japanese art. While the campaign story is brief, it emphasizes the age and origin of the artwork, positioning the deck as a curated collection of cultural heritage adapted for divination.

The artwork consists of classic Japanese ukiyo-e prints and drawings, characterized by their distinctive woodblock style, bold outlines, and flat areas of color. The images depict traditional Japanese scenes, figures in period attire, and landscapes, reflecting the artistic conventions of the Edo period. The color palette is varied, featuring muted earth tones, vibrant blues, and reds typical of historical Japanese prints. The visual evidence confirms the use of these vintage images, with some cards clearly displaying the aesthetic of ukiyo-e. The challenge for this deck lies in how these pre-existing artworks are mapped to specific tarot meanings, as the original images were not created with tarot symbolism in mind.

This deck is ideal for tarot collectors interested in unique cultural interpretations and historical art. It will appeal to enthusiasts of Japanese art, particularly ukiyo-e, who appreciate a vintage aesthetic. Readers who enjoy smaller, more portable decks will find the poker size convenient. It may be less suitable for absolute beginners who require clear, direct RWS symbolism, as the imagery requires an intuitive leap or familiarity with both tarot and Japanese art to fully interpret.

Bobby Alexander, based on Galveston Island, Texas, is an entrepreneur and family man with five children. His diverse interests include running several websites, such as 4cfingerboards.com. The Japanese Tarot Card Deck project reflects his hobby of pursuing various interests, bringing together historical Japanese art with the structure of tarot.