Ukiyoe Tarot

Ukiyoe Tarot - traditional tarot in Japanese woodblock style

Ukiyoe literally means 'pictures of the floating world'. It is a Japanese art form that captures everyday life with precise lines, flat colours and clear composition. Koji Furuta uses that aesthetic to reshape the 78 cards of the Rider-Waite tarot.

The result is a deck in which the Magician is a Kabuki actor, the Hierophant a Buddhist monk, and the Minor Arcana filled with ceremonial sceptres, lacquered bowls and coins from the Edo period. The structure remains classic. The imagery is entirely Japanese.

What you see on the cards

Each card carries a title in both English and Japanese. The illustrations are built from clear lines and flat colour blocks, as you see in historical Japanese woodblock prints. The figures wear kimonos, the backgrounds show landscapes or interiors from old Japan.

The symbolism follows the Rider-Waite tradition, but the attributes have been translated into Japanese equivalents. That makes the cards recognisable for anyone already working with tarot, and gives them their own character at the same time.

How you work with them

The cards are 64 x 114 mm, a standard size that shuffles well. The cardstock is smooth and sturdy. No guidebook is included, so some knowledge of tarot is helpful. The compositions are calm and clear enough to interpret quickly during a reading.

Many readers use this deck for daily draws or meditation. The images radiate a certain serenity that suits reflection.

When interpreting, pay attention to details in clothing and surroundings. They often give extra clues about the emotional tone of a card.

About Koji Furuta

Koji Furuta is a Japanese artist with an affinity for the ukiyoe style. His work is characterised by careful line drawings and attention to historical detail. With the Ukiyoe Tarot he has merged the Western tarot tradition with Eastern art history.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78 (full Major and Minor Arcana)
• Dimensions: 64 x 114 mm
• Material: Smooth, sturdy cardstock
• Language: English and Japanese on cards, no guidebook
• Publisher: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
• ISBN: 9780880790147
• Artist: Koji Furuta

Questions we often get

Does this deck come with a guidebook?
No. The cards follow the Rider-Waite structure, so some basic knowledge of tarot is useful.

How does this deck differ from a classic Rider-Waite deck?
The structure and sequence are the same, but the imagery is entirely Japanese. Archetypes and symbols have been translated into figures and objects from the Edo period.