Anyone have imperial cigarettes?

[GeorgeP]

I am hoping that someone has an undisturbed box of imperial gift cigarettes in their collection. From what I have seen of these boxes, they are white with (I think) "Imperial Gift" on the front, and the cigarettes themselves have the Imperial mum on each of them. They show up once in a blue moon on everyone's favorite auction site. I am hoping that someone has access to a box and maybe could share some pics.? Thanks for any help with this!


Tom

[Nick Komiya]

Here's a modern one that I have. This practice started in 1933 and was finally abolished in 2006.

[Nick Komiya]

modern version

[Nick Komiya]

WW2 version

[Nick Komiya]

When my Grand Father was awarded the Rising Sun 2nd Class in the 60s, he got the tabaco in a tin can. He was a nonsmoker, so we still have that can.

[GeorgeP]

Excellent, thanks Nick!
I didn't know that these were given out all the way up until a few years ago, neat!
Nick, do you happen to know who would receive these as gifts after WW2? I know that soldiers received them during the war, but who would receive them post-war?

wow, your Grandfather received a gift, interesting! Would only the higher classes of the Rising Sun (as well as other orders) receive this gift?


Tom

[Nick Komiya]

People who were awarded orders got them, as well as guests to the imperial garden parties, a give away to volunteers helping out the royal family, as gifts to the police, etc. They were producing 3 million cigarettes per year at the time they finally yielded to modern health concerns and replaced them with sugar candy. They also had Imperial Cigars, too. Other members of the Royal Family also made special cigarettes as gifts, but the mums had only 14 petals vs 16 for the emperor's.

[GeorgeP]

Lots of great info., thanks!



Tom

[GeorgeP]

One last question: If I am reading the sticker right, the Japan Tobacco Product Corporation produced the modern gift box of cigs. Were they always the preferred cig. manufacturer for the imperial family since the 1930's or were there several companies used through the years?


Tom

[Nick Komiya]

Tabacco and Salt are national monopolies in Japan, which explains why this custom defied criticism from health circles for such a long time, despite Hirohito himself being a non-smoker. The tabacco used is pure Japanese and is very harsh. Never heard of anyone who fancied the taste. Although the war time case shown had gold lettering in the beginning, they soon knocked out one kanji and printed in black like the modern example.
At the peak of it's production, in 1944 they produced over 28 million, but in 45 it fell steeply to only 1,060 thousand coffin nails.
Japan Tabacco is the national monopoly, so there could be no other brand. In Japan whether you buy Mild Seven or Marlboro, they are all Japan Tabacco products.

[GeorgeP]

Again, great information, very much appreciated!


Tom