The Ukiyoe Tarot deck represents a fascinating confluence of traditional Western tarot structure and classic Japanese artistic expression. Created in the early 1980s, this deck offers a unique visual language for exploring universal archetypes and divinatory meanings. Commissioned by Stuart R. Kaplan of U.S. Games Systems, the deck was brought to life by Japanese artist Koji Furuta, who dedicated two years to producing the 78 paintings required for the set. The result is a deck that adheres to the standard Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) format in terms of suit correspondence and structural organization, yet presents these concepts through the lens of the Ukiyoe art style, which originated in Japan during the mid-1600s.
The term "Ukiyoe" is derived from Buddhist terminology, translating roughly to "floating world." This artistic tradition was a product of the Edo period (1600–1868) and sought to capture the transience of life, reflecting both the joys and sorrows of pre-industrial Japanese urban existence under the feudal shoguns. The deck utilizes this aesthetic to express traditional tarot themes, replacing common European symbols with culturally specific Japanese objects and figures. For instance, the suits are represented by distinct cultural items: the Wands appear as ceremonial scepters used by Buddhist priests, Cups are depicted as hand-lacquered wooden bowls used for drinking sake, Swords are ceremonial weapons used in duels and battles, and Pentacles are rendered as coins similar to those from the Edo period. This adaptation allows for a fresh engagement with the Minor Arcana, while the Major Arcana features archetypal figures costumed in traditional Japanese attire, such as a Kabuki actor representing the Magician or a Buddhist monk representing the Hierophant. The cards feature titles and numbers in both English and Japanese, making the deck accessible to a wide audience while maintaining its cultural integrity.
Historical Context and Artistic Origins
The genesis of the Ukiyoe Tarot lies in the admiration of Stuart R. Kaplan for the Ukiyoe style. Kaplan, through U.S. Games Systems, commissioned Koji Furuta to execute the designs. The production involved a rigorous process of sketches and corrected paintings, slowly evolving into a complete deck printed in Japan by Angel Playing Card Manufacturing Co. Ltd. in 1982. The original artwork for each card is substantial, measuring approximately 7 inches by 10 inches, and is currently housed in the Stuart and Marilyn R. Kaplan Playing Card Collection.
The artistic style of Ukiyoe was historically a production of the Edo period, with the word itself carrying a Buddhist origin meaning "this wretched world." The goal of the art was to depict the "floating world" of the time, a concept that emphasizes the fleeting nature of physical reality. While the source material notes that many fine examples of Ukiyoe art were erotic in nature, the tarot deck focuses on the broader themes of everyday life, nobility, and archetypal representation. The deck is often noted for its mastery of line, color, and composition, evoking a sense of admiration and enjoyment for the viewer.
The deck is a standard tarot structure, comprising 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana is presented in a pip format, meaning the numbered cards (2 through 10) depict the arrangement of the suit symbols without the scenic, narrative illustrations found in many modern decks. However, despite being a pip deck, the reviewer from Lightwands.org noted that they "thoroughly enjoyed the take on the Minor Arcana," suggesting that the artistic rendering of the symbols provides sufficient context for interpretation.
Suit Correspondences and Symbolism
The Ukiyoe Tarot maintains the standard RWS suit correspondences but alters the visual representation to reflect Japanese culture. This shift in imagery requires the reader to look at the traditional meanings through a different cultural filter.
- Wands (Ceremonial Scepters): In traditional tarot, Wands correspond to the element of Fire and represent action, creativity, and will. In the Ukiyoe Tarot, these are represented by ceremonial scepters used by Buddhist priests. This imagery connects the suit to spiritual authority and ritualistic action.
- Cups (Lacquered Bowls): Cups correspond to the element of Water and represent emotions, relationships, and intuition. The deck depicts these as hand-lacquered wooden bowls used for drinking sake. This ties the suit to Japanese social customs and the fluid nature of emotional exchange.
- Swords (Ceremonial Weapons): Swords correspond to the element of Air and represent intellect, conflict, and truth. The deck features ceremonial swords used in duels and battles. This emphasizes the sharp, decisive, and sometimes painful nature of the suit's themes.
- Pentacles (Edo-era Coins): Pentacles correspond to the element of Earth and represent material wealth, work, and health. The deck uses coins similar to those from the Edo period. Notably, the characters on these coins spell out "Angel Playing Cards," acknowledging the manufacturer, Angel Co. Ltd.
Major Arcana: Archetypes in Japanese Costume
The Major Arcana of the Ukiyoe Tarot presents familiar archetypes through the lens of Japanese history and culture. The Magician is depicted as a Kabuki actor, a figure known for transformation and performance, fitting the card's theme of manifestation and skill. The Hierophant appears as a Buddhist monk, representing spiritual tradition and established institutions. Other cards likely reflect similar substitutions, utilizing samurai warriors, courtesans, and other figures from the "floating world" to embody the universal journey of the Fool's Progress. The use of these figures allows for a connection to the collective unconscious through a specifically Japanese cultural context.
Deck Specifications and Physical Characteristics
For those interested in the practical aspects of using the deck, the Ukiyoe Tarot has specific physical attributes that distinguish it.
- Card Size: The cards measure approximately 2.5 inches by 4.5 inches (or 63 x 113 mm). This is a standard size that is comfortable for shuffling and handling.
- Back Design: The card backs feature a solid maroon background with a gold and red water swirl design incorporating leaves and flowers. The design is reversible, allowing the deck to be used for readings where card reversals are significant.
- Packaging: The deck comes in an illustrated box and includes a "Little White Book" (LWB). The LWB is described as "lovely" and "substantial," containing 61 pages of content. It includes notes by Stuart Kaplan and devotes several pages to the history of Ukiyoe art during the Edo period.
- Copyright and Publication: The deck was copyrighted in 1983 and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Interpretive Approach
When utilizing the Ukiyoe Tarot for divination, the reader is encouraged to integrate the standard tarot meanings with the specific cultural symbolism presented. The "floating world" concept, which reflects the transience of life, adds a layer of philosophical depth to readings. The joys, sorrows, pleasures, and beauties inherent in the art style mirror the human experience that tarot seeks to explore.
Because the Minor Arcana is in pip format, readers familiar with the RWS system may need to rely on traditional pip interpretations (similar to the Marseille system) or allow the specific Japanese imagery of the arranged scepters, bowls, swords, and coins to trigger intuitive associations. For example, a cup card showing a specific arrangement of lacquered bowls might evoke themes of social gathering, ritual, or the sharing of emotions specific to the cultural context of sake drinking.
Conclusion
The Ukiyoe Tarot serves as a bridge between Eastern and Western esoteric traditions. By superimposing the structure of the tarot onto the rich visual history of Ukiyoe art, Koji Furuta and Stuart Kaplan created a deck that is both historically grounded and spiritually versatile. It honors the traditional meanings of the cards while offering a distinct aesthetic that speaks to the impermanence and beauty of the "floating world." For the spiritual seeker or the serious tarot enthusiast, this deck provides a unique tool for introspection and divination, grounded in the artistic legacy of Edo-period Japan.