Junior is a playing card and game company from Louie Mantia, Jr. Since 2019, Junior has produced hanafuda, playing cards, and poker dice.

Junior also publishes game instructions for both cards and dice, including several all-new original games.

Everything from Junior is designed to be social, inclusive, and flexible.

Junior Hanafuda

Junior Hanafuda

Junior Hanafuda is an interpretation of Japanese hanafuda specifically designed so anyone can easily learn how to play, with symbols and patterns that are easy to recognize.

These cards can be used to play a variety of games, including Koi-Koi and Hanaya.

Junior Playing Cards

Junior Playing Cards

Junior Playing Cards are French-suited, Anglo-American playing cards.

These cards can be used to play hundreds of games, including Capture the Flag, Straight Gin, and Takoyaki.

Junior Royals

Junior Royals

Junior Royals are a set of five poker dice in a paulownia wood box. The interior lid is lined with red velour to use as a soft rolling surface.

These dice can be used to play many games, including 21 Dash, Showdown, and Yacht.

Philosophy

Philosophy of Junior

Instead of complex games that take focus away from social interactions, Junior aims to enrich the time spent with your family and friends through cozier games. To that end, Junior cards and dice are designed for people of every age, with clear and delightful imagery that makes it easy to play.

Commentary

• Nobile, Jack Cosa ho comprato di magico in giappone?

  Wow, che bella questa! No, raga, ma è bellisima.

  Translation Wow, this is beautiful! No, guys, it's beautiful.

• Gormley, Shannon Louie Mantia Updates Centuries-Old Japanese Playing Cards With Stunning Modern Designs. Willamette Week.

  stark, beautifully simple shapes and symbols representing Japan’s plants, animals and legends in bright colors

• Venkatesan, Arun Icon designer Louie Mantia’s take on traditional Japanese playing cards

  beautiful illustration that blends Japanese iconography with the style and layout of Bicycle Playing Cards

• Somerville, Roddy; Lodge, Ken Junior Playing Cards. The World of Playing Cards.

  Quite fun, as they’ve kept to the traditional postures

• Hanafuda Mania. MBS News, Osaka.

  僕が好きなのはこのアメリカのデザイナーがつくった花札。日本の家紋のイメージも入れ込んで花札をつくっていて。すごいなって。

  Translation I like this hanafuda made by an American designer. They incorporate Japanese crests into the cards. I think they’re amazing.

Related

See also

• Junior Hanafuda
• Junior Playing Cards
• Junior Royals
• Louie Mantia, Jr.
• Philosophy of Junior
• How to play
• Shop

Further reading

• Contributors
• The Story of Junior