tensho karuta



16th century early Japanese cards were based on imports brought by Portuguese sailors. Petite, similar to hanafuta cards, the size possibly due to the sailors trimming their cards from use and the Japanese copying what they saw. Like Portuguese cards, the aces feature dragons, and two of the maiden "jacks" are portrayed slaying dragons.

52 backed cards, including anachronistic tens and jokers. Petite. 70x40mm