Any anime fans here? I have a tarot deck for you, especially if you're a sucker for all things mythology and folklore like I am: Ukiyo Tarot, by Pietro Turino, combines the beauty of old-timey Asian art with the wisdom of the cards to create a unique deck. It is beautiful, it is direct, it is a must for most! Thanks to the publisher for the copy to review!
- Publication Date: September 8, 2025.
- Publisher: Llewellyn Publications.
- Page Count: 128 pages.
- Dimensions: 3 x 0.69 x 5.06 inches.
- Rating: 5/5 stars.
Pietro Turino combines the subtle beauty of 17th century ukiyo culture with modern, anime-style illustrations in this gorgeous tarot deck.The Japanese term ukiyo (the floating world) came to prominence in the 17th century to describe the pleasure-seeking culture of urban lifestyle in cities like Edo, Kyoto, and Osaka. From it stemmed an art movement that dealt with notions of transience, impermanence, and the ephemeral. This tarot deck recalls these fascinating concepts and combines them with a modern anime-like style to bring the subtle beauty of the floating world into the new millennium.
The cards themselves are nice to the touch, maybe a bit softer than I'd prefer, but I say this goes along with the theme of the floating world. The Ukiyo Tarot is easy to shuffle, work with, and the cards bend nicely. I expect most people to have a nice experience with them because of this, especially because the simplicity of the frame lets the art shine.
Speaking of the art, you guys are not prepared for how gorgeous each card is! Death, 4 of Wands, 7 of Cups, 7 of Swords, Judgement, and 3 of Swords are the most beautiful in my humble opinion, but the whole deck is evocative. As if it were visual poetry, Pietro Turino invites you with each card to focus on it first, inviting introspection and personal associations.
Reading with the Ukiyo Tarot is fairly easy, also, because it follows the Rider–Waite–Smith imagery. Some cards deviate more than the others, like Judgement, but others, like the 3 of Swords, are easily recognizable. This makes the interpretation much easier and allows for faster readings. The little booklet also enlightens you about the changes and folklore surrounding the deck.
All in all, Pietro Turino created a gorgeous piece of art with this deck. Each card is a delight for the eyes, but it is also a portal to a fantasy world that feels foreign and familiar at the same time. While I recommend everyone to be extra careful with the cards, I wasn't disappointed with my experience: simple, pretty, and accurate. It might take some time to get used to some of the changes, but then it's easy to understand them.
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