Tobacco of the Emperor: Japanese WW2 Military Cigarettes and More

Published on December 5, 2022
Duration: 13:54

This video delves into the history of Japanese military tobacco during WW2, focusing on brands like Hikari and Hakko, and the exclusive Imperial Gift Tobacco. It also touches upon US Intelligence investigations into opium in Japanese cigarettes and features the book 'Tobacco of the Emperor' by Patrick Phillips. The content is presented with high authority by Ian McCollum and Patrick Phillips, offering a deep dive into a niche historical subject.

Quick Summary

The video explores Japanese WW2 military tobacco, detailing brands like 'Hikari' (military-rationed commercial) and 'Hakko' (army-produced). It highlights 'Imperial Gift Tobacco' with its distinctive chrysanthemum crest and discusses US Intelligence inspections for opium. Insights are drawn from Patrick Phillips' book, 'Tobacco of the Emperor'.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to 'Tobacco of the Emperor'
  2. 03:01Military Issue Cigarettes (Hikari)
  3. 04:04Army-Produced Cigarettes in the Philippines (Hakko)
  4. 06:11Intelligence Stamps and Opium Rumors
  5. 08:23Imperial Gift Tobacco

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the main types of Japanese WW2 military cigarettes discussed?

The video discusses 'Hikari' (Brightness) brand cigarettes, which were commercially produced but issued as military rations, and 'Hakko' brand cigarettes, manufactured directly by the Japanese Army using seized infrastructure in the Philippines.

What is 'Imperial Gift Tobacco' and what distinguished it?

'Imperial Gift Tobacco' (Onshi no Tabako) was a high-end product from the Japanese Royal Family, characterized by gold foil packaging, bonsai artwork, and cigarettes embossed with the 16-petal chrysanthemum crest.

Why did US Intelligence inspect Japanese cigarettes during WW2?

US Intelligence inspected Japanese cigarette packs to investigate rumors that they contained opium. Packs that were examined typically received a triangular 'Examined in the Field' stamp.

Who authored the book 'Tobacco of the Emperor' and what does it cover?

The book 'Tobacco of the Emperor' was authored by Patrick Phillips and published by Headstamp Publishing. It covers the history of Japanese tobacco from the early 1900s through WWII, including cigarettes, pipes, and accessories.

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