Ukiyo-E (Nintendo)
Classic examples of Ukiyo-E painting.
Ukiyo-E is a genre of Japanese art (woodblock prints and paintings) which flourished from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Some classic examples of Ukiyo-E painting are featured on the court cards and on one of the Jokers in this pack. The Kings, Queens and Joker are courtesans, the Jacks actors. The names of the artists are not provided. The maker’s name is on the Ace of Spades. The attractive back design (also reproduced on the lid of the box) depicts a doll (head and shoulders only) representing a Japanese woman in national costume. Packs exist with either a gold or a silver border. See the box►
Above: Ukiyo-E playing cards made by Nintendo Playing Card Co. Ltd, Kyoto, Japan, 1969. 52 cards + 2 Jokers in plastic box. Size: 57 x 87 mm.
By Roddy Somerville
Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
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