Hana Fuda - Japan
Hana Fuda playing cards hand-made by Patricia Kirk, 2003
Hana Fuda playing cards based on 19th century Japanese originals.
The 12 suits are named after flowers corresponding with the twelve months.
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.
Above: Hanafuda cards on matchbox boxes. Courtesy Rex Pitts.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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