Menko is an old Japanese game, more recently popularized in the west as Pogs. Players compete to flip over opponents’ cards; each card usually has a picture of a hand as well, to add rock-paper-scissors to the game.
I usually like to give just one example, but these are unusual and fun to look at, so here are more.
(Posted by Doug Skinner)
6 responses so far ↓
1 Lisa // Mar 23, 2012 at 7:36 am
Doug, these are beautiful and fantastic! Where did you find them?
2 Doug // Mar 23, 2012 at 10:51 am
I found them at the flea market. The seller didn’t know what they were. I didn’t either, but found info online. I couldn’t find anything on the characters. Menko goes back to the 17th century; it has a long history.
3 Winston // Mar 24, 2012 at 1:25 am
I love these cards too. A magnificent find, Doug. I wonder what the hand sign is about…in American sign language that is the symbol for the letter “E”.
4 Doug // Mar 24, 2012 at 6:01 am
Oh, the hand sign is to play rock-paper-scissors. That’s “rock.” If the other kid had scissors (two fingers), you won. If he had paper (open hand), you lost.
5 mamie // Mar 24, 2012 at 11:57 am
Boy howdy are they ever nice!
6 Gail // Apr 7, 2012 at 8:22 am
the tiger is gorgeous!!!!! I love the circles. You should definitely check out the show at Japan Society of Art Deco….really good match boxes and other objects and paintings and graphics….FREE friday nights 6-9