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Hana Fuda - Japan

Published July 03, 1996 Updated December 19, 2021

Hana Fuda playing cards hand-made by Patricia Kirk, 2003

Japan USA Mount Hood Playing Card Company Hanafuda

Hana Fuda playing cards  based on 19th century Japanese originals.

The 12 suits are named after flowers corresponding with the twelve months.

Hana Fuda playing cards hand-made by Patricia Kirk, 2003 Hana Fuda playing cards hand-made by Patricia Kirk, 2003

Above: a selection of Hana Fuda playing cards hand-made by Patricia Kirk, Mount Hood Playing Card Company, U.S.A., 2003. The total number of cards is usually 48, plus optional extra cards.


Hanafuda cards on matchbox boxes

Above: Hanafuda cards on matchbox boxes. Courtesy Rex Pitts.

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By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.


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