Daiini - Nintendo

Daiini ( 大二) , Nintendo, 40c. + Oni-fuda + blank

 Again, we have another Kabu deck, Daiini- "Big Two" . The structure of this dck is not very different from the other decks of it's family, but several features make it worthy of mention:

1- The court card and ace have now been further abstracted, to such a point that they now are a few unrecognisable blobs of colour, only ( vaguely) retaining their original shape . It appears that I have displayed the knave ( 1st image, 1st row, 5th from left) upside down, but the design is so abstract, IMO, it makes little difference!

2- The 4s have a little circle in the middle of their 4 pips; It contains the characters "大二" - Daiini- thus spelling out the pattern's name. The deuces ( 2s) reflect this, as their pips are rather large when compared with the others

( top row) - 6, 7 , 8, 9, ( Knave)

( bottom row) ( ace) , 2, 3, 4, 5

L-R - Onifuda, special ace, special 3, special 4

The "special" ace, 3, and 4. are not very far removed from other such decks , save the use of gold instead of silver ink. Note the Onifuda. The demon's eyes are framed in gold ink, thus giving it the rather comical appearence of wearing spectacles!

The knave displayed one way, and then another. I leave it to you to decide which card is " Right side Up"

Mahjong- Hanayama

"カード麻雀"(Mahjong)- Hanayama, 139 + 4 C.

The Japanese game of mahjong differs slightly from the versions played in China, HK, and elsewhere. For starters, the game uses only 136 tiles, instead of the 144 or more used elsewhere. These variations are reflected in a pretty little set from that country.
 The set presented below is a complete fac-similie of a japanese mahjong set, reproduced on paper. The cards here are closer to the size of mahjong tiles than normal playing cards ( they are only 3 x 5 cm ), and as a result, the set also comes with four card "racks",  on which the cards may be held in the game

Besides, the basic structure of the deck is more or less similar to the other examples shown elsewhere on this site ( compare http://anthonylesq.blogspot.sg/2012/09/mahjong-ii-kr-brand.html)

The suit of coins.

Note the miniature depeictions of the cards used as indices placed in the corners of the cards.  Also note that colour black, or rather, a very dark indigo blue, replaces the brilliant blue of other sets

The suit of bamboos-

Note the one of bamboos ( 1st row, 1st from left) The bird depicted here is much more complex than that of the previous examples, resembling a peacock, rather than an abstract jumble of lines resempling a parrot

the suit of 萬

Again, not much removed from the other examples shown

~Other cards, and the back design~

The Dragons  ( A ) dislpay small variants from the chinese. For starters, the "發" is written somewhat differntly from the chinese. Secondly, the "白板" here is completely blank, without the "frame" in other examples. However, the makers printed, in a very faint grey , the word 白 on the card ( barely visible in the above img. ), perhaps to prevent it from being mistaken for a spare card. 

The Winds ( B) are relatively unexcaptional.

  Here is where the differences between Japanese mahjong and the Chinese versions become apparent. Firstly, There are no flowers, as the japanese game usually does not use them. However, in some variants, three cards, known as "red fives" are used. ( C) . They function as special bonuses.

as for D, I know not what it does ( any Trasnlation appreceated) , and E is a yakitori marker- A piece of scoring appartus used in the game.



Tehonbiki

The game of tehonbiki is certanly a most curious one, and one with a very shady reputation in Japan. However, if we are to understand the game ,  we must first explain the perculiar apparatus used in playing it. Two decks of cards are used, the "harifuda" and the "mamefuda".

"Mamefuda" ( 豆札) , "大將軍" ,  48c. ( 6 x 8)  +  blank card

The whole series of Mamefuda, 1-6 ( L to R)

The deck of mamefuda consists of a series of 6 cards, numbered from 1-6 , repeated ( at least in the present example) eight times, to yeild a deck of 48 cards. As the cardstock is pretty thick, when the cards are stacked up, the stack is 7.5 centimeters high. However,  the whole deck of cards isnt used in the game, but only one series of such cards.
 The cards have several curious features. For one, the ce resembles a dragon. This is significant as the oldest japanese cards feature such an animal on the aces. Whilst in most other decks, this animal has been transformed into an unintelligable squiggle, here is remains more or less recogniable. Furthermore, the cards are much, much smaller than the usual Japanese cards. The cards are only 2.5 by 4.5cm. That makes them slightly smaller than a man's thumb. Otherwise, the cards more or less resemble the suit of coins in other japanese decks. For example, the 2s are framed, as well as the central pip of the 5.

The next deck of cards used are the "harifuda"

"Harifuda" (張札) , "大將軍" , 42c. ( 7 x 6)

one series of harifuda. 1 to 6 ( L-R)

This deck also follows the same structure as the mamefuda, comprising of a series of six subjects repeated several times. However, this time, the values of the cards are given by a series of stylized chinese numbers. If you compare the above cards with the chinese numbers from 1 to 6, as below, the connection is clear:

一 二 三 四 五 六

Another curious feature is the red lines that appear on some of the cards. The one has a red line, the 2 and 3 have two and three lines respectivley, the four has none, the five has a red semicircle on the top and bottom edges of the cards, and the six has similar deocration in each of it's corners. I guess that this decoaration functioned as a form of index for the cards

 Here is an old uncut sheet of harifuda. Notice that the odd numbers here are printed in red, and the even numbers black. Also note that the six has the maker's name written on a banner between it's "legs"

Another piece of apparatus used is the memoku, or 目木. Rather confusingly they are also refered to as the "Mefuda". These are blocks of wood with the numbers of the harifuda inscribed on them. They are placed in numerical order before the banker, and are used to indicate his preference

***************************

 My understanding of the rules cheifly comes from Andy Polett's marvellous website
(http://l-pollett.tripod.com/cards70.htm) , and the actions of the propreitor of the cardshop from which I bought the cards from.

 The game of tehonbiki is certanly a most curious game, and can be said to be little more than a game of dice transferred to cards. This fact becomse more obvious when you consider the structure of the deck ( 1 to 6, as per dice) , and the manner in which it is played.
 
 The dealer first takes one series of mamefuda, and shuffles the six cards. He does so hidden from view, either in his pocket or with his hands behind his back, the small size of the mamefuda helping him in the process. Once it has been shuffled, a card is withdrawn , and placed under a piece of cloth. He does not look at its value.
The players now attempt to guess the value of the card that the bank has chosen. The player use the harifuda to indicate which card they bet is the one under the cloth . They do so by arranging the harifuda in various ways, and by these arrangements, the bets are made. The system of betting is too complicated to be shown here in detail, but the pariculars may be found on Mr. Polett's website.
 The bank then makes his own preference, by placing one of the Memoku to the right of the row.
The cloth is then uncovered, and the bets paid out.
 I am also told that the game is indeed in very ill repute, but rather surprisingly, one may find examples of these decks ( or at least the Harifuda) more easily than mekuri decks, or indeed kabufuda. I belive that some of these decks may have been ordered in error, as the spelling of Harifuda and Hanafuda is so close.

Kabu cards- "Komaru" ( Nintendo)

Komaru (小丸)- Nintendo 40c. + onifuda + spare

We have another deck of kabu cards, this one known as the "Komaru" - small circle. This deck is identical on structure to the Mefuda previously mentioned, but the differig illustations are the point of interest here. Whilst the mefuda look like the the work of a child or a very sloppy colourer, this deck is less abstract, and the circles more... circular.

 Here the ace retains a more or less serpentine form, as as opposed to the simple black card with 2 lines of the mefuda. However, the court card here is less abstract than the mefua, bearing the vague appearence of a scowling soldier wearing a hat .The 2s are also encased in a frame, along with the central pip of the 5s.

 Again, one of the aces, threes and fours recive special decoration.

-Komaru-

Key:

1st row ( L-R) 6, 7, 8, 9, ( knave)

2nd row ( L-R)  (ace),2, 3,4, 5,

"Special cards" 4 of batons ( replaces one of the 4s), ace, and 3( L-R)

Kabu cards- "Mefuda" ( Nintendo)

Mefuda (目札 )-Nintendo, , 40c. + onifuda and blank
 We Now come to another species of japanese playing cards, known as the "Kabu"cards. These cards are basically single suited decks. That is, the deck comprises of one suit ( Usually coins or batons) repeated 4 times. There are usually 10 ranks in each suit, to give a deck of 40 cards.

 The particular deck shown here is known as the "mefuda", "( Eye-cards) , and gives a good introduction to this species of cards. The suit used here is the suit of coins, here corrupted to blobs of black paint., from 1 to 9. The tenth card is the Knave (or perhaps a cavalier in this case, as it has 4 legs), presenting the appearence of a few blobs of colour preched upon four legs  

 There are 3 identical series of these 9 cards. However, there is a fourth  series, in which some of the ranks are secorated with silver overprints. Usually the ace, trey (3) and the four of that suit recive that decoration. However, In decks like this one which use the suit of coins, the four in the special suit tends to be replaced, rather inexplicably, by a four of batons.

 Another curious ( and rather delightful) feature is the inscription on the duces (2s) treys (3s) and fours of each suit, along with the special ace. The inscription reads "金錢不用"- Use no gold or money"*, A rather splendid prohibition against gambling

-Mefuda-

1st row ( L-R)-- 6,7, 8,9,(knave) 

2nd row (L-R)-- (Ace), 2, 3, 4, 5

3rd row( L-R)--- Onifuda, Special ace, special 3,special 4

* Or, if you were to make a rhyme of it

"Gentle gamster, I pray that ye

use no gold or silver with me "

Kurofuda - Nintendo

"Kurofuda" ( 黑札) - Nintendo, 48c. + "onifuda" + Blank

   We now come to the second type of mekuri karuta, the "Kurofuda", or "black cards" . Looking at the cards, it is easy to see why they got the nickname. The features of the deck are almost completely obscured by large areas of black or red paint; so much so that the only reliable method of identifying the the cards is by the shape of the blobs of paint.( Unlike the akahachi, where the features of the deck are for the most part, just blobs of paint, this deck has printed outlines, which are painted over with blobs of paint)
  Sylvia Mann states that this deck is the closest deck to the portugese originals. In some ways, this is correct. When one looks closely at the cards. you can see outlines of faces, &c. which have been covered by the black paint ( if you look carefully, you can see them in the images below)  . These faces do indeed reseble actual human figures ( unlike the abstract forms of the akahachi)
Another curious feature of the deck is the lack of silver overprints.

Compare: akahachi- http://anthonylesq.blogspot.sg/2012/12/akahachi-nintendo.html

Key to position of cards:

top row- 7, 8,  9,  (Knave),  ( Cavalier), (King)

Bottom row---Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Swords or isu

As you can see, the colour in these images is applied more or less iin total disregard to the outlines of the figures. Note the shape of the swords. In the "Akahachi", the swords are just red lines, But here, they are more realisticaly dipicted.Also note the bird on the 2 of swords. You can also see the legs & lower half of the king's body.

Hau or batons

As with the akahachi, the main difference between the swords & batons is the colouring. Note the cavalier. The legs of his mount are visible, untouched by paint.

Ôru, or coins

The pips in this suit still remarkably look like it's european counterpart ( The star-like design in particular). If you look closely, the three court figures hold a starlike coin.

Koppu or cups

The cups in this suit are rounder and more bulbous than that of the Akahachi. You can see the lower part of the knave's body.

Compare: Akahachi

Akahachi- Nintendo

"Akahachi" ( 赤八) , 48c. + Blank & "oni-fuda"

This deck, and the following few decks that I shall present, are the so-called 'mekuri' patterns. found in Japan, the patterns are local adaptations of the portugese playing cards introduced by traders, &c. However, In time, the designs grew to be more abstract, a process perhaps much aided by the fact that they were banned ( to disguise the cards) ,along with isolation form foregin traders.

In 1973, Sylvia Mann, in her book "the dragons of portugal" , stated that there were ten different kinds of mekuri patterns being produced in Japan. However, 39 years later, I could only find two., and all in one shop in Tokyo ( Okuno karuta )

The cards introduced by the traders were Latin-suited, that is, having suits of cups, coins, batons and swords, much like ( but not identical to)  ones used in Italy and spain to this day. As you can see, the Japanese more or less kept the shape of the suits, but the court cards have been greatly abstracted, only vaguely resembling human forms .On some ( presumedly important) cards, you can see silver overprints, perhaps to make them more visible in dimly lit rooms.
 Compare: Kurofuda - http://anthonylesq.blogspot.sg/

Key to position of cards:

top row- 7, 8,  9,  (Knave),  ( Cavalier), (King)

Bottom row---Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

The suit of Batons, or "hau"

A you can see, the court cards only vaguely resemble human forms, being mostly comprised of  mass of red and black lines. Nevertheless, on some of the court cards, behind all that paint, a face can still be made out.

Also note the heavy silver overprints on the 1-6 of batons ( bottom row), and the court cards ( Top row, 3rd to 6th cards from left). The 6 of batons ( bottom row, 6th from left) , has the word 壽 ( lonevity) on it.

The suit of swords or "Isu"

The suit of isu or swords is distinguished from the suit of hau only by it's colour, the former being red, and the latter Black. Note the chinese numbers on the values of 4 to 9, and the Buddha on the 2 . The 8 ( top row, 2nd from right).

Cups, or Koppu

The pips of this suit do indeed resemble cups, or rather flat lidded vessels. The Cavalier ( top row, 4th from left), preserves the vague form of a man astride a horse - note the four legs which support the abstract figure.



Coins, or ôru
Again, the form of the suit somwhat resembles the conis of the priginal cards. The Ace ( bottom row, 1st from left), takes the vague form of a serpent or dragon, an animal which was found on the aces of the portugese cards ( see http://www.wopc.co.uk/belgium/dragons3.html)

Also shown is the oni-fuda, a card which bears the visage of a goblin.