Sensu Hanafuda & Fusion (Poker) Playing Cards. (Live on KS)

[DoubleOOJ]

Hello everyone!

We met a lot of great people here last year when we launched and successfully funded our Hanami Hanafuda project. We wanted to share our newest upcoming project with all of you! Sensu Hanafuda and Fusion playing cards.

We are currently planning the Kickstarter launch for August 1st.

Sensu was inspired by traditional hanafuda and the illustrations of Uchiyama Rossetsu from 1892. Each card in the Sensu deck is unique.

Sensu will be printed by LPCC on Classic Finish at their Taiwan facility. The tucks will have an embossed linen texture (similar to the Cultura tuck).



We also created a Sensu edition of our Hanafuda Games rulebook. It will have the same text content as our Hanami edition (8.5”x11”, full-color, 236 pages, 37 games), but the 200+ color images will now feature the art of the Sensu deck series.



For those of you who might not be familiar with Hanafuda or our Fusion decks…

What is Hanafuda?
Hanafuda (known in Korea as 'Hwatu') are floral-themed playing cards that are rich in symbolism and popular in Japan, Korea, and Hawaii. Hanafuda cards have 12 suits. Each suit is represented by a month (e.g. June) of the year and each month is represented by a flower (e.g. Peony).



What is the Fusion deck?
Since traditional hanafuda cards lack pips and indices, we designed our own hanafuda indices to indicate the flower, month, and type of each card. We combined these indices with traditional hanafuda imagery and standard poker indices to create a multipurpose deck that could be used to play both Eastern and Western games. The Fusion deck is also a great way to learn and teach hanafuda.



Why a Hanafuda Rulebook?
Given the popularity, long history, and wide geographical range of hanafuda cards, there have been many games invented over the years. Unfortunately, rules for hanafuda games can be difficult to find and interpret, so we decided to create a rulebook that would gather these rules into a single clearly written source.

Sensu was created as part of our ongoing love for hanafuda and desire to share it with others.

There is a lot more art on the Kickstarter page.

Here is the Kickstarter Preview Link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/iw ... n=d27af1cf

Thank you for taking the time to read our post and for checking out our project!

We look forward to reading your feedback.
Jason & Antonietta

[JuFiN]

Ill probably skip the fusion deck and rulebook this time but those hanafuda decks are gorgeous.

The fusion deck from the previous project is a nice idea but the indices end up feeling cluttered with 4 things in them.

As for the rule book I have no complaints it is incredible, I just have the first one already!

[Räpylätassu]

LOVE this project and everything about it. I just had to a mental check about that why on earth don't I own the previous pair? Have to change that fact soon.

[wingedpotato]

I'm in for one of each! Love the last set you produced. Those card backs are beautiful.

[DoubleOOJ]

Thanks everyone!! My wife (the artist) is breathing a sigh of relief right now. Antonietta put a lot of love and hours into designing these decks. As the creators we always have that nervousness when we first share something. Ahh, the moments of paranoid silence before someone makes that first comment. LOL.

@JuFIN
We’re happy to hear you are enjoying the rulebook.

@Räpylätassu
Awesome! Fun quotes, btw. Really loved “Are lobsters mermaids to scorpions?”

@wingedpotato
That’s great to hear! Love the name and muppet avatar, btw.

[Räpylätassu]

@Räpylätassu
Awesome! Fun quotes, btw. Really loved “Are lobsters mermaids to scorpions?”

That is the question that must be answered. The truth is out there.

But the most important of them is:
"One makes a trip by day, but by night one sets out on a journey." -Moominmamma

Remember that. If you leave your home for a longer period of time during the day, you are leaving for a trip. When you leave at night, it's a journey/adventure as a proper adventure can only start at nightime.

[Bradius]

The decks are awesome. I would probably be more interested in the fusion deck. I have had my eye on a Hanafuda deck, but probably not yet. While the design doesn't really mix great with playing cards, it still looks great. You might rope me in for a fusion deck.

[theCapraAegagrus]

Whoa, these are weird.

I have no idea how to play hanafuda, and the fact that you have rule books is awesome.

I like the colors and designs a lot. A lot of new weirdness.

[DoubleOOJ]

@Räpylätassu
lol, had to google Moominmamma. Looks cute.

@Bradius
Thanks, we are glad you like them.

@TwoPiece
Thanks and welcome to the world of hanafuda.

Weird is good. They can be pretty alien until you get used to them. We created the Fusion decks & Rulebook to help bridge that gap.

[Räpylätassu]

@Räpylätassu
lol, had to google Moominmamma. Looks cute.

Moomins are the best. The Finnish-Japanese cartoon show made in the 90's is the best childrens tv show ever made and the original books by Tove Jansson are great reads for both adults and kids.

If you and your wife have kids/someday will have kids, I really can recommend the Moomin books as bed time stories.

[DoubleOOJ]

So, I just realized that I had uploaded an older version of the tuck image in the original post here. I went ahead and updated the image to the newest version. The only difference being that we had decided to move the Sensu kanji to the back of the tuck and put the fan emblem on the front instead.

@Räpylätassu
We will keep the Moomins in mind. It just occurred to me why the Moomins looked familiar. I must have been thinking of these guys (Nerds candy): https://goo.gl/images/LKaKYx

[DoubleOOJ]

Sensu has officially launched!

[akicer]

I kind of like the design, and the previous edition as well.

However I have to point out (and warn the backers) that the deck will be printed in LPCC's Chinese factory. The previous edition handles sooooooooooo badly.

[DoubleOOJ]

I kind of like the design, and the previous edition as well.

However I have to point out (and warn the backers) that the deck will be printed in LPCC's Chinese factory. The previous edition handles sooooooooooo badly.

That is actually incorrect.

Sensu will be printed on LPCC's Classic Finish at their Taiwan factory.

The previous decks were on Emerald Finish (it was required for the planned gilding of the first launch). A few of our Hanami backers mentioned the issues they were having doing cardistry with the Emerald Finish, so we decided to use Classic Finish for Sensu.

[akicer]

I kind of like the design, and the previous edition as well.

However I have to point out (and warn the backers) that the deck will be printed in LPCC's Chinese factory. The previous edition handles sooooooooooo badly.

That is actually incorrect.

Sensu will be printed on LPCC's Classic Finish at their Taiwan factory.

The previous decks were on Emerald Finish (it was required for the planned gilding of the first launch). A few of our Hanami backers mentioned the issues they were having doing cardistry with the Emerald Finish, so we decided to use Classic Finish for Sensu.

This is a good news! I would recommend you to make this point clear for the KS backers as well. I have heard couple previous backers not backing this project because of the factory

[DoubleOOJ]

I kind of like the design, and the previous edition as well.

However I have to point out (and warn the backers) that the deck will be printed in LPCC's Chinese factory. The previous edition handles sooooooooooo badly.

That is actually incorrect.

Sensu will be printed on LPCC's Classic Finish at their Taiwan factory.

The previous decks were on Emerald Finish (it was required for the planned gilding of the first launch). A few of our Hanami backers mentioned the issues they were having doing cardistry with the Emerald Finish, so we decided to use Classic Finish for Sensu.

This is a good news! I would recommend you to make this point clear for the KS backers as well. I have heard couple previous backers not backing this project because of the factory

Thanks for letting us know. We had not realized there was confusion about the Finishes (and factories) that Sensu would be using. You were the first to mention it to us.

We listen to all of the feedback we receive.

We will try to make the fact that Sensu will use LPCC's Classic Finish & Taiwan facility more well-known.

And, if you hear anyone else talking about it, please set them straight. We'd really appreciate it.

[ICantShuffle]

I'm in for two decks, I cannot comment on handling of previous decks, since I don't play with them, but I do have them and I like the artwork.

[DoubleOOJ]

@ICantShuffle
Thank you for your support! We are happy to hear you like the art. (^_^)

[EndersGame]

I'm a big fan of this project - I have a special fondness for playing cards that are unique and out-of-the-ordinary, and these fit in that category well, while at the same time being steeped in a long tradition. I love the antique and weathered look of the Sensu cards, which fits well with the style and overall direction of the artwork in the new decks. I also think that the Fusion deck is a great concept, because it gives the cards a wider scope for use besides straight Hanafuda games.

And the rulebook is amazing - there are people who pledge for this project just to get the rulebook! I've seen a digital copy (from the previous Hanami edition), and it is super impressive - 236 pages, with instructions for 37 games.

If you are sitting on the fence, and want to read more of my impressions and thoughts in detail (with pictures), see my two reviews posted in the Deck Reviews section at the links below. I've also covered the rulebook at length, including some feedback about the more popular games played with the deck, Koi-Koi and Go-Stop.

Review: Hanami edition
Review: Sensu edition

[DoubleOOJ]

@Ender’s Game
Thank you for the wonderful review. We really appreciate the support!

[DoubleOOJ]

We have received some great feedback about the poker indices that will improve the look and functionality of the fusion deck even more!

We have decided to implement this change by updating the poker indices on the Fusion deck so that the numbers on the heart and diamond suits are red instead of black (as is typical for a standard poker deck).

We have updated the artwork in the Kickstarter to reflect this change.

It is a subtle change, but an important one. (^_^)

[theCapraAegagrus]

We have received some great feedback about the poker indices that will improve the look and functionality of the fusion deck even more!

We have decided to implement this change by updating the poker indices on the Fusion deck so that the numbers on the heart and diamond suits are red instead of black (as is typical for a standard poker deck).

We have updated the artwork in the Kickstarter to reflect this change.

It is a subtle change, but an important one. (^_^)

Very nice!

[DoubleOOJ]

We have received our proof of the Hanafuda Games rulebook and wanted to share some pictures with everyone.






Some 16mm dice and our Hanami deck added to show the scale.



We are really happy with how the book turned out.

As always, if you have any questions or feedback about our project feel free to contact us.

Thanks,
Jason & Antonietta

[DoubleOOJ]

Sensu has funded. ✿.*･｡ﾟ(ﾉ^^)乂(^^ )ﾉ｡ﾟ･*✿

Thanks for all the feedback and support. (^_^)

Jason & Antonietta

[Bradius]

I am excited. This will be my first Hanfuda styled deck.

[EndersGame]

Sensu has funded.

Great news - congratulations Jason & Antonietta!

[DoubleOOJ]

@Bradius
Thank you. It’s great to hear that they enticed you. We’re happy to be your first hanafuda deck!

@EndersGame
Thank you! And thank you again for your wonderful review of our decks!

Jason & Antonietta

[wingedpotato]

I received my pair of decks yesterday and they are delightful. Perfect combination of old-world feel and modern application. Well-done!

[DoubleOOJ]

I received my pair of decks yesterday and they are delightful. Perfect combination of old-world feel and modern application. Well-done!

Thank you! That’s great to hear! We’re so happy that you like them. Thank you again for your support.
Jason & Antonietta

[Bradius]

My deck arrived yesterday. It is an awesome deck. Thanks, now I have to add more Hanafuda to my collection. I got the fusion deck, and I agree it is nice to have a deck bridge the two playing card types. You did a great job.