Ukiyoe Tarot Deck •Koji Furuta Vintage ©1983 US Games Japanese and English

Description: Ukiyoe Tarot Deck •Koji Furuta Vintage ©1983 US Games Japanese and English. Vintage first edition published ©1982 by US Games. Box is visibly shelf-worn. Includes original booklet by Stuart Kaplan. Cards have been viewed but never used and are in excellent condition. Deck is complete. Stored in a SMOKE-FREE environment. From a private collection, selling for the original owner.The Gypsy writes:Ukiyoe Tarotby Koji Furutapublished by U.S. Games Systems, Inc., 1982traditional card titles, in English and Japaneseeight: Justice; eleven: Strengthsuits are wands, cups, swords and pentaclescourts are page, knight, queen and kingpips illustrated, no captionsbacks symmetrical In the LWB, Stuart Kaplan writes, “For many years I have admired the beauty and simplicity of ukiyoe art, with its handsome figures, casual poses, striking colors and nobility of style. At every opportunity – when answering inquiries sent to U.S. Games Systems from artists interested in submitting samples of their work or when meeting Japanese visitors – I have asked if anyone knew of a talented artist whose work embraced the ukiyoe style and who might be willing to undertake the arduous task of preparing seventy-eight designs for a tarot deck. “A number of artists submitted examples of their work, but for one reason or another, the samples did not seem entirely suitable. The cards I envisioned for the Ukiyoe Tarot deck had to combine the artistry of the ”floating world” with the traditional symbolism of the tarot. “Finally, in February 1980, I came in contact with Minoru Shigeta and Y. Nakagawa of Angel Playing Card Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Through their kind efforts and cooperation it was possible to commission Koji Furuta to execute the designs for the Ukiyoe Tarot deck. Starting with sketches and corrected paintings, the Ukiyoe designs slowly evolved into a complete tarot deck, printed in 1982 in Japan by Angel Playing Card Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.” It’s interesting to see our symbol set in yet another cultural style. These “wands are ceremonial scepters used by Buddhist priests. Cups are hand-lacquered wooden bowls used for drinking sake (rice wine) in past centuries, but now mainly used in ceremonies, especially marriages.” Swords are those used in traditional duels as well as battle. “The coins are like those used in the Edo period (ca. 1600-1868) of Japanese history…. “Ukiyoe art took root during the middle seventeenth century in the city of Edo, feudal capital of Japan after the unification of the country around 1600. Edo is now the modern city of Tokyo. The Edo period of Japanese culture and history was named after the city. Ukiyoe was one of the cultural accomplishments of the Edo period and has continued to be one of Japan’s most popular art forms…. “The term ukiyoe (pronounced ookee-yoh-eh) is of Buddhist origin. Literally translated, ukiyoe means “this wretched world,” and refers to the transient nature of human life, with its fleeting joys and sorrows. Ukiyoe ultimately described a certain manner of life that artists depicted with portraits of men and women in moments of hope, despair, love, anguish – the whole range of human emotion. Often the scenes of beautiful women and handsome men were erotic. The figures included young men, geisha (female entertainers), courtesans, lovers, actors, wrestlers and samurai (warriors). The rising middle class found itself with an excess of money and freedom to enjoy the pleasures of life available at brothels and kabuki theaters. Thus, ukiyoe was a pictorial representation of life’s vicissitudes under the shoguns of old Japan.” This Fool is ragged, with wrinkled brow and bamboo pole. This Magician sits beside a country road doing tricks on a red cloth with suit symbols and a black box the size and shape of a Tarot deck. This High Priestess is a poet with a scroll of calligraphic ideograms whose shapes and rhythms convey concepts, impressions and moods. This Empress wears billowing sleeves and many layers of aristocratic silk decorated with the chrysanthemums of Japan’s imperial crest. This Emperor wears the formal attire for holding audience. This Hierophant wears the outfit and shaven head of a high-ranking Buddhist monk. These Lovers show a young man with courtesan and chaperone, whose choice is arranged marriage or passing pleasure. This Chariot is carried by four loyal companions of the warrior, screened, inside. This Justice is a woman who judges herself and whether she’ll meet the fierce Fudo with sword and rope or the merciful Kwannon who guides the virtuous to the Pure Land. This Hermit seeks satori with a paper lantern and The Fool’s bamboo staff, Japanese symbol of luck and resilience. This Wheel represents the Buddhist doctrine of the eight-fold path of right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration. Among cherry blossoms, this Strength gentles the snow lion who guards the shrines. This Hanged Man is bound by circumstance and free of heart. This Death is called Emma-hoo, whose judgment is to reflect sin with mirrors for eyes. This Temperance conserves resources in flasks as she is purified in a kimono of peonies. This Devil is a protective demon who chases away impediments to spiritual truth. This Tower is a pagoda with five roofs representing a temple founded in 676 and rebuilt in 824; the peasants represent victims of feudal tyranny. This Star may be offering sake, rice distillate, to the spring river for new plants. This Moon shines on twin pagodas, twin dogs, and a crab who makes its way upstream. This Sun shines on twin children playing at sumo wrestling. This Judgment shows Kwannon holding prayer beads and a wish-fulfilling gem over a Japanese graveyard. This World dances in a wreath of morning glories.

Price: 125 USD

Location: Spokane, Washington

End Time: 2024-11-04T04:51:02.000Z

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