http://www.ovo8.com   I like images on yourwebsite very much.


http://www.ovo8.com Very good website to learn more about Japanese art and visual culture

Fiona Colton (England)

ケーズデンキ
サントリーウエルネス
How to play MENKO card

http://www.wikihow.com/Play-Menko

ペナトレイトアイ(eye penetrate barrier)





                                        whirlpool in Naruto strait                   wood engraving











author :Shoutei Takahashi






Shotei Takahashi
















hiroshige








printed in taishou era 1914







                                        wood engraving
                   




author: unknown












FOLKLORE ART IN JAPAN






meiji era  


asakusa ryouunkaku













                            Tokyo industrial exhibition








taishou era 1913










noted place ISE shrine (handbill advertisement)








noted place ISE shrine (handbill advertisement)








noted place ISE shrine (handbill advertisement)














taishou era 1914    








meiji era    








noted place OSAKA  (handbill advertisement)
























osaka
















noted place TOYAMA (handbill advertisement)








famous place TOKYO (handbill advertisement)










famous place TOKYO (handbill advertisement)  meiji ara










famous place TOKYO (handbill advertisement)  the deva gate of a temple ( meiji ara)
















The railroad station,Shinbashi and Ueno          meiji ara










Nijuubashi-bridge(imperial palace)








Yoshiwara big gate
















Japan bank ,NIkolai-do cathedral          meiji era










a group of cherry blossom viewers    meiji era
















meiji era
































































































The imperial palace garden


famous place KYOTO (handbill advertisement)











noted place ISE shrine (handbill advertisement)









noted place ISE shrine (handbill advertisement)









noted place ISE shrine (handbill advertisement)


Magatama pond view
































MENKO  (author: unknown )  playing cards                                                              Samurai




wood engraving






Menko(めんこ, 面子) is a Japanesecard gameplayed by two or more players. It is also the name of the type of cards used to play this game. Each player uses Menko cards made from thick paper or cardboard, printed on one or both sides with images fromanime,manga, and other works. A player's card is placed on the hardwood or concrete floor and the other player throws down his card, trying to flip the other player's card with a gust of wind or by striking his card against the other card. If he succeeds, he takes both cards. The player who takes all the cards, or the one with the most cards at the game's end, wins the game.

Menko has been popular from theEdo period. Its quick and simple rules have made it popular among children of all age groups. Because technique is just as important as power in this game, smaller children can compete fairly with older players.

The pictures on these cards reflect the popular culture of their time, and Menko cards from thepastreflectimportant information about theirera. In the Edo and earlyMeiji period, images likeninjaandsamuraiwere popular. Before World War II, the most popular images were of the military, like fighter planes and battleships. After the war, characters fromanimeandmangawere popular, as well asbaseballplayers. Collectors of Japanese baseball cards collectbaseball menko. In the late 1980s to early 1990s, Menko cards were decorated withholographsand sparkles













































shouwa era    offset printing






Sugoroku (双六)




a traditional board game in which pieces are advavced by throwing dice




wood engraving