Missing just a few minor variations, this is my collection of Japanese "Trump" sumo playing card decks from the Heisei Era (1989-2019). Also included are a few decks from the previous Showa Era (1926-1989) and decks from the current Reiwa Era (2020-date). Beginning in 1973, the Nihon Sumo Kyokai (NSK),also known as the Japan Sumo Association (JSA)-- has normally released at least one, (sometimes with an additional 2, or even 3 updated decks) of these sumo trump playing card decks per year. These trump decks were sold at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan (Sumo Arena) in Tokyo. As my interest in sumo did not begin until the late 90's, I decided to concentrate on decks which contained sumo wrestlers I was familiar with---with the goal to collect all of the decks issued from 1989 (the beginning of the Reiwa Era) forward. The decks themselves roughly approximate the Banzuke (Sumo rankings chart) of the month/year they were produced. The King cards are comprised of the highest rankers (the Ozeki and Yokozuna), while the Junior Sanyaku ranks (Sekiwake and Komusubi) as well as some of the top Maegashira ranks occupy the remainder of the "face" cards. The lower ranked Maegashira and even some top Juryo (2nd division) wrestlers fill out the rest of the numerical cards in the deck, in descending order (the higher the rank, the higher the card number). The Gyoji (referee) usually is depicted as the Joker card in the deck. Long time sumo wrestlers may have only a few different photos used on the cards over their careers..as it is not uncommon for the same photo of a rikishi to be reused in subsequent decks. I have included scans of the top 9 cards in each deck which largely distinguish it from other year's Trump decks. Original meaning of a deck of playing cards: 52 cards for 52 weeks in the year. 2 colors for day and night. 4 suits for the 4 seasons and 13 weeks per season. 12 court cards representing the 12 months. If we add the value of each of the cards (from one for the Aces to 13 for the Kings etc) you get 364; with Jokers used for Leap Years. "Orange" sided cardboard boxes, with sumo artwork on the front (as well as the backs), are used to house current Trump issues beginning in 2008 (barcodes were added to the backs beginning in 2020). Previously the same box, but with "green" sides was used from 2002-2007. Going back further; completely Green boxes (front/back) were used from 1991-3 to 2001, while Orange (front/w/light green back) boxes were used from 1989 to 1991-2. From 1985-1 to 1986-2 they used green boxes with a little window. And prior to 1985 they used white boxes.....images of the boxes that came with my decks appear at the bottom of the page.
Album by Michael Ford. 1 - 56 of 56 Total. 216 Visits.
25 2003 Kokugikan Trump Sumo playing card deck Approx value: $35 (final appearances of Musashimaru & Takanohana (as Joker) as well as debut of Asahoryu as Yokozuna)
26 2004 Kokugikan Trump Sumo playing card deck Approx value: $40 (Debut of Hakuho)
