Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio

Introducing Strange Tales from A Chinese Studio Playing Cards - Gaoyu Standard Edition

Court Cards

In each edition, the Court Cards feature vivid, detailed depictions of the enchanting and mysterious spirits from Pu Songling's world. From the ominous spirits and specters of Quzhou to the haunting beauty of a ghostly maiden admiring a peony, each card builds a layered story. Designed as two-way illustrations, these cards feature an alternative art treatment of characters shown in the number cards.

Number Cards

Paying homage to the vast ensemble of spirits, scholars, and deities that populate the strange tales. Each character is presented in a majestic full body shot, captured in a moment of serene contemplation.

When laid in sequence, the cards reveal their true magic: connecting to form a mosaic puzzle of an otherworldly garden. Which can be put on display with the beautiful uncut sheets.

Card back

Animated Whirling Gateway Card Backs

A fusion of two motifs from the ancient world: the segmented lattice of a traditional window (chuangling), representing the portal between realms, and the sacred form of the wheel, symbolizing the eternal cycle of change. This hybrid design creates a segmented "Karmic Portal" split-in-two, with each half illustrated along the long sides of the card, framing a central space of swirling spiritual energy.

When fanned or flipped, the deck performs its own magic. The two halves of this architectural mandala appear to spin in opposite directions, creating the mesmerizing illusion of a whirling portal between worlds. Bringing to life the very essence of Pu Songling's tales, where the mundane world is forever animated by the subtle, unseen movements of the strange and the supernatural.