Customer Reviews

Samurai Tarot (English and Spanish Edition)

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Bushido may or may not mean anything to you. If it doesn't, the deck might not be a good choice. This deck is based on the centuries old Japanese Samurai Warrior culture. The images on the cards have a stylized Japanese look. The Samurai sword is called the katana and it shows up on nearly every card. The deck uses the teachings of Bushido and Buddhism for interpretation. The meanings are also from Japanese folklore, traditional culture and historical figures. Many of the cards deviate from the standard symbolism and meaning of modern tarot based on Rider-Waite.

The major arcana renames "the High Priestess" to "the Goddess", "the Hierophant" as "the Priest", "the Hermit" to "the Monk". The imagery on the cards is hard for me to understand in many cases without looking at the LWB.

According to the LWB, The Majors and all the suits have a Buddhist element assigned to them as well. There are five elements with Space, KU, assigned to the Majors. CHI, HI, MIZU, KAZE for Pentacles, Wands, Cups, Swords. The face cards are based on famous figures from Japanese tradition.

I think this deck would be best appreciated by those who are into Samurai culture. The deck is interesting but is not a traditional tarot deck. This makes it hard to use in readings without consulting the LWB. For instance, 7 of coins shows women on a boat and swimming in white smocks. They are diving for pearls of happiness, and the card means wealth.

I really don't have anything bad to say about the deck. Just be sure that you understand the deck doesn't follow traditional tarot meanings and the imagery may be hard to use by itself unless you are familiar with the subject matter.

I did enjoy having this deck though it was never done for readings. The lwb had a riddle or 'koan' for you to figure out as the card was placed. The artwork is good an on par with the Lo Scabero decks. It will give readers and querant lots to think on and ponder.