Meet Nijiya: A Conversation with the Creator of Ninja Tarot
We’re honored to introduce Nijiya, a Japanese tarot creator whose decks blend traditional Rider–Waite–Smith structure with rich cultural symbolism, emotional depth, and a message of hope. Known for her luminous art and thoughtful design, Nijiya’s work includes The Unicorn Whisper Tarot, The Ukiyo Romance Tarot, and The Ninja Tarot—each a unique expression of her personal philosophy and creative vision. These are tools for "dialoge with the self", as the Tokyo Tarot Museum puts it.
In this interview, we explore her journey into tarot, the cultural inspirations behind her decks, and the message she hopes to share with readers around the world.
What first drew you to tarot and esoteric art?
"I first discovered tarot and oracle cards in my twenties, when I was aspiring to be an illustrator. At the time, the internet wasn’t what it is today, so I didn’t know how to actually create a deck—I just admired them from afar. Years later, during the global pandemic in 2020, I found myself watching a lot of fortune-telling videos online. I was captivated by the diversity and individuality of the decks I saw. That’s when I decided to finally create the deck I had dreamed of in my twenties. I had the time—and the inspiration."
What inspired you to merge Japanese cultural symbolism with the universal language of tarot?
"When I began creating my first deck, The Unicorn Whisper Tarot, I wanted to stay faithful to the Rider–Waite–Smith system while expressing it through my own art. For my second deck, I wanted to bring in Japanese history and aesthetics—partly because of my lifelong love for historical dramas (Jidaigeki) and kimono. I used Japanese terms like “Samurai” for the suits and incorporated kanji to promote a Japanese-made deck as a Japanese artist. With The Ninja Tarot, I took that even further, bringing the Japanese spirit to the forefront."
Your decks often carry messages of hope and light—how does that reflect your personal philosophy?
"I’ve always been drawn to the visual storytelling of tarot—not just as a tool for divination, but as a system of human experience and archetypes. During the pandemic, I noticed how much comfort and perspective fortune-telling could offer. It reminded me of something I felt even as a child: that no matter how difficult things seem, we are just tiny specks in a vast universe. That awareness can shift your entire perspective."
"Tarot gave me a framework—a language—for exploring those ideas. Through my decks, I want to share the message that even in darkness, there is always light. That’s why I depict struggle and sorrow in my cards—not to dwell on them, but to show that they are temporary. The light is always there, just behind the clouds."
What does the phrase “Behind the clouds, the sky is always blue” mean to you as an artist?
"It’s a mantra I live by. It reminds me that even when life feels heavy or uncertain, the blue sky is still there—it’s just hidden for a moment. This phrase guides my work. Even when a card’s theme is difficult, I always aim to include a message of possibility and peace. My goal is to infuse every piece with hope. I want my art to be a reminder that your true, clear self is always present, even if it’s temporarily obscured."
✦You can explore Nijiya’s decks—including The Unicorn Whisper Tarot, The Ukiyo Romance Tarot, and The Ninja Tarot—in our Nijiya colletion. Each one is a celebration of beauty, resilience, and the quiet strength that lives within us all.
