Japanese Warrior, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This Japanese Warrior was printed by the Kinney Tobacco Company as an advertisement for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The lithographic printing process allowed for mass production, and the relatively low cost of labor at the time meant that these cards could be included in cigarette packs as a promotional item. The image itself is carefully drawn and printed in multiple colors, to create a sense of depth and realism. But consider the source – a tobacco company, not an art studio. The purpose of this image wasn’t aesthetic contemplation; it was to move product. What's fascinating here is the collision of cultures and economies. A Japanese warrior, rendered in miniature, becomes a vehicle for selling American cigarettes. This little card reminds us that even seemingly innocuous images are embedded in larger systems of labor, politics, and consumption. So, next time you light up, consider the global networks that make it possible!