The Botan Tarot (1st Edition)
I’m fascinated by Japanese culture and art - such a natural attraction; the whimsical, delicate and strong essence tangible in Japanese art draws me in. This tarot deck drew me in as soon as I saw it, and although I only saw a few cards to start with, I couldn’t wait to see the entire deck. I backed the full version of this deck via Kickstarter and its a project I waited eagerly for. The wait was absolutely worth it. This deck celebrates some of my favourite art in a tarot deck.
Also, although the deck comes with a guidebook (I love its simplicity), if you’re wanting a little more detail behind the art in the cards, consider purchasing the Botan Tarot Anthology Zine as well (select the relevant option for purchase as appropriate).
A brief description of the deck, guide booklet and zine by the deck creator A Miyako M (via Kickstarter):
A lush and whimsical 78-card tarot deck illustrated in watercolor by A Miyako M.
"Botan" in Japanese (written 牡丹) means "peony", which is the flower prominently featured on the back design of the tarot deck as well as on several cards. In Japanese flower language, peonies represent bravery. Botan is also a play on the word "botanical", as I use Japanese flower language and other plant imagery throughout the deck.
Lastly, Botan is a tribute to the space and memory in which I painted this deck - there is an old-fashioned Japanese candy called Botan Rice Candy, which I remember my grandmother giving to me as a child. The deck was painted entirely in the dining room of my grandmother's home, and the Minor Arcana specifically draws inspiration from the Japanese children's stories that she used to read to me.
Within this deck, you will find both the 22-card Major Arcana (painted in 2017) and the 56-card Minor Arcana (painted in 2019). The Major Arcana is contemporary in design, with influences from Art Nouveau, Japanese flower language, and my family history. The Minor Arcana uses the same aesthetic, with folktale characters reimagined, symbolism in elements, plants, and animals, and cohesive color stories.
Each image is hand-drawn and painted by myself, using watercolor paints and colored pencils. Cards measure 2.75" by 4.75" on 310gsm black core cardstock with linen finish and rounded corners.
Note: All available decks feature the Indigo edging option (which are gorgeous).
Guide booklet and Zine
Every deck comes with a guide booklet. The guide booklet provides simplified interpretations for both the upright and reversed meanings of the cards.
There is also the option to purchase a more in depth look at the art behind the cards - the Botan Anthology Zine. The zine dives deeper into why I chose the imagery that I did, the short stories that I've written for certain pieces, and the folklore and family history that informed my designs.
I’m fascinated by Japanese culture and art - such a natural attraction; the whimsical, delicate and strong essence tangible in Japanese art draws me in. This tarot deck drew me in as soon as I saw it, and although I only saw a few cards to start with, I couldn’t wait to see the entire deck. I backed the full version of this deck via Kickstarter and its a project I waited eagerly for. The wait was absolutely worth it. This deck celebrates some of my favourite art in a tarot deck.
Also, although the deck comes with a guidebook (I love its simplicity), if you’re wanting a little more detail behind the art in the cards, consider purchasing the Botan Tarot Anthology Zine as well (select the relevant option for purchase as appropriate).
A brief description of the deck, guide booklet and zine by the deck creator A Miyako M (via Kickstarter):
A lush and whimsical 78-card tarot deck illustrated in watercolor by A Miyako M.
"Botan" in Japanese (written 牡丹) means "peony", which is the flower prominently featured on the back design of the tarot deck as well as on several cards. In Japanese flower language, peonies represent bravery. Botan is also a play on the word "botanical", as I use Japanese flower language and other plant imagery throughout the deck.
Lastly, Botan is a tribute to the space and memory in which I painted this deck - there is an old-fashioned Japanese candy called Botan Rice Candy, which I remember my grandmother giving to me as a child. The deck was painted entirely in the dining room of my grandmother's home, and the Minor Arcana specifically draws inspiration from the Japanese children's stories that she used to read to me.
Within this deck, you will find both the 22-card Major Arcana (painted in 2017) and the 56-card Minor Arcana (painted in 2019). The Major Arcana is contemporary in design, with influences from Art Nouveau, Japanese flower language, and my family history. The Minor Arcana uses the same aesthetic, with folktale characters reimagined, symbolism in elements, plants, and animals, and cohesive color stories.
Each image is hand-drawn and painted by myself, using watercolor paints and colored pencils. Cards measure 2.75" by 4.75" on 310gsm black core cardstock with linen finish and rounded corners.
Note: All available decks feature the Indigo edging option (which are gorgeous).
Guide booklet and Zine
Every deck comes with a guide booklet. The guide booklet provides simplified interpretations for both the upright and reversed meanings of the cards.
There is also the option to purchase a more in depth look at the art behind the cards - the Botan Anthology Zine. The zine dives deeper into why I chose the imagery that I did, the short stories that I've written for certain pieces, and the folklore and family history that informed my designs.
I’m fascinated by Japanese culture and art - such a natural attraction; the whimsical, delicate and strong essence tangible in Japanese art draws me in. This tarot deck drew me in as soon as I saw it, and although I only saw a few cards to start with, I couldn’t wait to see the entire deck. I backed the full version of this deck via Kickstarter and its a project I waited eagerly for. The wait was absolutely worth it. This deck celebrates some of my favourite art in a tarot deck.
Also, although the deck comes with a guidebook (I love its simplicity), if you’re wanting a little more detail behind the art in the cards, consider purchasing the Botan Tarot Anthology Zine as well (select the relevant option for purchase as appropriate).
A brief description of the deck, guide booklet and zine by the deck creator A Miyako M (via Kickstarter):
A lush and whimsical 78-card tarot deck illustrated in watercolor by A Miyako M.
"Botan" in Japanese (written 牡丹) means "peony", which is the flower prominently featured on the back design of the tarot deck as well as on several cards. In Japanese flower language, peonies represent bravery. Botan is also a play on the word "botanical", as I use Japanese flower language and other plant imagery throughout the deck.
Lastly, Botan is a tribute to the space and memory in which I painted this deck - there is an old-fashioned Japanese candy called Botan Rice Candy, which I remember my grandmother giving to me as a child. The deck was painted entirely in the dining room of my grandmother's home, and the Minor Arcana specifically draws inspiration from the Japanese children's stories that she used to read to me.
Within this deck, you will find both the 22-card Major Arcana (painted in 2017) and the 56-card Minor Arcana (painted in 2019). The Major Arcana is contemporary in design, with influences from Art Nouveau, Japanese flower language, and my family history. The Minor Arcana uses the same aesthetic, with folktale characters reimagined, symbolism in elements, plants, and animals, and cohesive color stories.
Each image is hand-drawn and painted by myself, using watercolor paints and colored pencils. Cards measure 2.75" by 4.75" on 310gsm black core cardstock with linen finish and rounded corners.
Note: All available decks feature the Indigo edging option (which are gorgeous).
Guide booklet and Zine
Every deck comes with a guide booklet. The guide booklet provides simplified interpretations for both the upright and reversed meanings of the cards.
There is also the option to purchase a more in depth look at the art behind the cards - the Botan Anthology Zine. The zine dives deeper into why I chose the imagery that I did, the short stories that I've written for certain pieces, and the folklore and family history that informed my designs.
