From the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 5) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This small albumen print was one of a series of collectible cards included in packs of Virginia Brights Cigarettes. It was made by Allen & Ginter, an American tobacco company, and traded on the fascination with Japanese culture during the late 19th century. The image depicts two actors in what are meant to be traditional Japanese costumes. These costumes, however, are more reflective of a Western fantasy than an accurate depiction. The actors, who are clearly not Japanese, are presented as exotic figures, reinforcing a romanticized and often inaccurate view of Japan. This was a common practice during a period marked by Western expansionism and cultural appropriation. These cards served as a form of advertising, but they also functioned as a tool for shaping public perception. To truly understand the social dynamics, we might look at how American cultural institutions, such as world fairs, also participated in the construction of these images of Japan. This analysis reveals much about the cultural and economic exchanges of the time.