Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (c.1969)

Year: Undated (c.1969)

Format: Playing card

Illustrator: Ryohei Yanagihara (1931-2015)

Client: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL)

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Details: This playing card was printed by Nintendo for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, a Japanese shipping company. The alligator design was first displayed on MOL containers in 1969. It was created by Ryohei Yanagihara (1931-2015).

Ryohei Yanagihara was an illustrator, animation producer, cartoonist and essayist born in Tokyo, Japan. He studied Craft and Design at Kyoto City Art University.

In 1954, Yanagihara joined the advertising department of Suntory whisky and produced TV commercials featuring Uncle Torys, their whisky-loving mascot. He left in 1959 to become a freelance artist. He also co-founded an animation production company.

As a child, Yanagihara was a ship enthusiast and continued to be a member of the MOL fan club. He went on to work with a number of Japanese shipping companies, most notably MOL. He was made an Honorary Chief Officer by the company in 1965, followed by the title of Honorary Captain (complete with uniform and cap) in 1969.