Untranslatable Words Card Set
This set of cards attempt to define some of the most specific words from various languages around the world. There are lots of moods, needs and feelings that our own language has not yet properly pinned down. The perfect word - even if it comes from abroad - helps us explain ourselves to other people, and its existence quietly reassures us (and everyone else) that a state of mind is not really rare, just rarely spoken of. Designed to evoke the excitement of encountering an old photograph or an unusual object in a flea market, the cards feels familiar yet foreign. Some of the untranslatable words include: DUENDE (Spanish): A heightened sense of emotion created by a moving piece of art; FORELSKET (Norwegian): The euphoric feeling at the beginning of love; and YŪGEN (Japanese): a mood in which one feels that the universe as a whole possesses a mysterious and elusive beauty. Turn to these cards to find a word that speaks most powerfully to your mood. Sort through and select a card to send to a friend as a memento of a particular feeling you associate with them. Words cannot express the many ways in which this game can be played.
| Materials | Hand-Selected Solid American Black Walnut & Hard Maple |
| Pieces | Solid Weighted Brass & Polished Matte Stone Resin |
| Finish | Satin Protective Organic Wax Lacquer |
| Dimensions | 14.5" x 14.5" x 1.25" (Full Tournament Proportion) |
| Player Count | 2 Players (or Solitary Puzzle Mode) |
| Recommended Age | Ages 12 to Adult |
| Storage | Custom Molded EVA Foam & Velvet Lined Inner Chamber |
| Origin | Handcrafted in Small Studio Batches in USA & Germany |
Curator Notes: Untranslatable Words Card Set
This set of cards attempt to define some of the most specific words from various languages around the world. There are lots of moods, needs and feelings that our own language has not yet properly pinned down. The perfect word - even if it comes from abroad - helps us explain ourselves to other people, and its existence quietly reassures us (and everyone else) that a state of mind is not really rare, just rarely spoken of. Designed to evoke the excitement of encountering an old photograph or an unusual object in a flea market, the cards feels familiar yet foreign. Some of the untranslatable words include: DUENDE (Spanish): A heightened sense of emotion created by a moving piece of art; FORELSKET (Norwegian): The euphoric feeling at the beginning of love; and YŪGEN (Japanese): a mood in which one feels that the universe as a whole possesses a mysterious and elusive beauty. Turn to these cards to find a word that speaks most powerfully to your mood. Sort through and select a card to send to a friend as a memento of a particular feeling you associate with them. Words cannot express the many ways in which this game can be played.
Each production run of this artifact is executed in limited atelier batches. Hand-assembled and calibrated with precision tools to ensure that physical resistance, kinetic balance, and aesthetic presentation meet the stringent heirloom standards of Arcana Vault.
Domestic US Shipping & Master Guarantee
Complimentary Domestic US Shipping: Orders containing over $75 in curios qualify for free fully insured carbon-neutral standard delivery (FedEx Priority / USPS Ground Advantage).
Dispatch Time: Orders placed before 2:00 PM Pacific Time dispatch the same business day from our San Francisco fulfillment center.
30-Day Master Guarantee: If this artifact fails to deliver utter delight, you may return it in its original archival packaging within 30 days for a full refund.
Rules are intuitive within minutes, but the strategic depth is immense. We have played nearly every night since it arrived.
The wood grain is gorgeous, and the magnetic closures snap shut with a very satisfying resonance.
The weight of each piece feels authoritative on the board. A permanent centerpiece on our living room coffee table.
