Yokai Tarot - Japanese spirits in the classic tarot structure
Yokai are not angels and not demons. They are spirits from Japanese folklore that follow their own rules: some protect, others tease, many do both. The Yokai Tarot by Marga Biazzi and Paolo Bertazzo builds a full 78-card deck around these creatures without abandoning the classic tarot structure.
That makes this deck interesting for people who already know the standard meanings and want to see how they hold up in a different cultural frame. This is not an entry-level deck. It is a deliberate choice for someone comfortable with tarot who wants to find new angles in familiar positions.
What you see on the cards
Each card shows a yokai in a scene that reveals its character. The illustrations are detailed and use bold colours: red demons, pale female spirits, animal creatures with multiple tails. The style has something of traditional Japanese woodblock prints, but is contemporary enough to read at a glance.
The cards have no keywords. Each one shows the name of the yokai and the corresponding arcanum number. The guidebook describes which story belongs to each creature and how that translates into the tarot meaning. Here, the guidebook is not an extra but a working companion.
How the symbolism works
In Japanese folklore, each yokai has its own function. A nine-tailed kitsune brings wisdom, but also cunning. An oni represents strength and rage. A yuki-onna embodies both beauty and danger.
Biazzi and Bertazzo connected these qualities to the tarot arcana by looking at which yokai naturally fits which card. The Hermit becomes a solitary mountain spirit. The Tower shows a destructive force from nature. Those connections follow the stories rather than forcing them.
Look not only at the traditional tarot meaning, but also at what the yokai on the card is doing. Many of these creatures move on the boundary between helping and hindering. That ambivalence can add real depth to a reading.
Who this deck works for
The guidebook assumes you already know the basic structure of tarot. There is no explanation of what the Major Arcana are or how to conduct a reading. The focus is on the specific yokai and their stories.
If you are drawn to Japanese mythology, or looking for a tarot that steps outside Western symbolism, this deck offers a concrete alternative. The cards push you to look differently at positions you already know well.
About Marga Biazzi and Paolo Bertazzo
Marga Biazzi illustrates tarot and oracle cards, combining atmosphere and emotion with technical precision. For the Yokai Tarot she studied the visual language of Japanese folklore.
Paolo Bertazzo writes and brings structure to mythological material. He selected the yokai and matched them to the tarot arcana, so that each creature fits its card not only visually but also in meaning.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Card size: 83 x 127 mm
- Box size: 83 x 55 x 127 mm
- Weight: 500 g
- Language: English
- Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
- ISBN: 9780738779652
- Includes: 78 cards, guidebook with yokai descriptions and spreads, sturdy storage box
- Illustrator: Marga Biazzi
- Author: Paolo Bertazzo
Questions we often get
Do I need prior knowledge of Japanese mythology to use this deck?
No. The guidebook describes each creature and explains how it relates to the tarot card. Prior knowledge helps, but is not required.
Does this deck follow the traditional tarot structure?
Yes. All 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana are present. The symbolism is different, but the structure is the same as in a classic tarot deck.
