ABOUT

This deck takes us beneath the surface of Japanese Temple ponds, where shimmering blue Koi fish swim. The tuck box features a continuous Koi pattern that flows around each corner, with holofoil, glittering fish scales, and a luxurious textured-paper red seal.

The Japanese art of indigo dyeing, named Aizome, is very popular in Japan. This is the inspiration for the colour palette used in this deck. Blue Koi Carp or Asagi, are also highly collectable fish for Japanese Koi ponds as they represent tranquillity.

The Koi pattern has been carefully pieced together to create a continuous design. So many fins and scales, all designed by hand over many hours.

The inside of the tuck box features a collection of blue stamps in the style of those seen at Japanese temples, against a deep navy background. This looks very luxurious when the tuck flap is opened. The stamps have a subtle iridescent glow.

The card back gleams with a very detailed, mirrored Koi fish pattern. The holofoil sits beneath layers of blue ink so that each colour reacts differently to the light. The white scales scattered through the design allow the foil to shine through at its brightest. The result... highlighted fins here and there. 

The card fan has little Koi fish heads peeping out from the corner. The fish change colours as the card fan tilts in the light. It is a really cool effect and should give a beautiful glow to cardistry flourishes.

The ace cards feature a blue Koi fish swimming through the central pip design. The surrounding water glitters in the light. The background Seighaiha pattern pushes holofoil to its most delicate boundaries.

The Kings show Japanese warriors in intricately patterned robes. Each King has unique patterns designed to catch the light. When tilted towards the light, turquoise and pink holofoil reflections glint and catch the eye. They are depicted in front of wooden Shoji screens. These are traditional room dividers used in traditional Japanese architecture. They have translucent paper sheets on a wooden lattice to allow light to shine through.

The Queens depict Geishas with elaborate waxed Katsura wigs and ornate patterned robes. They are under the shade of traditional wagasa, umbrellas made from bamboo frames and oiled washi paper.

The Jacks depict younger Kabuki actors with bluish shading around the top of their heads. This is a theatrical shorthand to represent a freshly shaven head, which was a standard grooming practice for samurai and townspeople during the Edo period. They feature beautiful flowering water lilies in the foreground.

The Joker cards depict a mirrored Koi fish design that reacts beautifully to the light. There are two jokers in this deck with varying colours. The delicate holofoil Japanese seighaiha pattern across the white area of the card allows the colourful fish to take centre stage.

Each pip card features a Goshuin-style design. A Goshuin is a unique seal stamp combined with hand-brushed black ink calligraphy, given to visitors at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan as a sacred token of their visit.