Mikado of Japan, from the Rulers, Flags, and Coats of Arms series (N126-2) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. 1888

This is Mikado of Japan, a lithograph card issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. between 1870 and 1920. Produced as part of the "Rulers, Flags, and Coats of Arms series" this card reflects a period when Western interest in and perception of Japan was intensifying. The card presents the Japanese coat of arms—a stylized chrysanthemum—encased in a shield. It is a symbol of national identity, but here, it's also a commodity, packaged with cigarettes. The phrase at the bottom boasts, "We are the largest Cigarette Manufacturers in the World," highlighting the connection between consumer culture and global power dynamics. This juxtaposition reveals the complex interplay between cultural representation, commercial interests, and imperial ambition. How does seeing a nation’s symbol reduced to a marketing tool affect our understanding of cultural exchange and power? This piece prompts us to reflect on the emotional and political dimensions of how we perceive and consume images of other cultures.