Hanafuda (literally flower cards) are Japanese playing cards printed on stiff pasteboard, 2-1/2 inches by 1 inch. This 48 card deck has been a staple for card games since the 16th century in Japan. And while the graphics are purely Japanese in design and meaning, the card game was most likely introduced by Europeans in the 1500s. The cards are divided into suits representing the months of the year and each suit has its appropriate flower in major and minor cards. A variety of games can be played with the cards. 48 cards come in a plastic storage case. Often people play with two decks so they have enough cards for a larger group of players.