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Hanafuda: The Family That Plays Together, Stays Together

noe tanigawa
Credit noe tanigawa
Helen Nakano, head of Hanafuda Hawai'i, and player, Charlie Chong

Did you know digital game giant Nintendo started out as a playing card company? 

They hand painted Hanafuda cards as their primary source of income for nearly 100 years. Hanafuda is associated with yakuza or gangsters in many parts of Japan because of its early association with gambling, but in Hawai’i, the game moved off the plantations as popular family fare. HPR’s Noe Tanigawa found the local version of hanafuda could be making a comeback.

All are invited to Hanafuda Hawai’i's Intergenerational Hanafuda Tournament this Sunday, September 8th, at Manoa Library. First time players can learn the game in ten minutes and proceeds benefit Manoa Public Library. Bring a partner of another generation if you can.

Noe Tanigawa covered art, culture and ideas for two decades at Hawaiʻi Public Radio.
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