These Playing Cards Pay Homage To Nintendo's Pre-Video Game Era

Before becoming the video game console giant and the household name that it is today, Nintendo had its hand in a myriad of business endeavors, with some being much more unexpected than others. This includes things such as operating "love hotels" — which may or may not have had ties to the infamous Yakuza clan — and making kid's toys. The company got its start, however, by producing handmade Nintendo playing cards in 1889 — a practice that would continue until almost 1950.