Coat of Arms, Japan, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph of a Japanese coat of arms was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in the late 19th century as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The card is one of a series depicting military insignia from around the world, reflecting America's growing interest in global affairs and trade at the time. The image presents a stylized version of the Japanese imperial crest, a sixteen-petal chrysanthemum, surrounded by other floral emblems, all rendered in bright, somewhat generic colors. What’s most striking here is how a symbol of national identity becomes a marketing tool. By associating their product with exotic imagery, Kinney Brothers hoped to appeal to consumers seeking novelty and sophistication. To fully understand the significance of this image, we might research the history of tobacco advertising, the development of chromolithography, and the cultural exchange between the United States and Japan during this period. Such historical context helps us see how art is always embedded in broader systems of power and exchange.