E0710: Japan, Golden Bat Cigarette Box, 1930-1931

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E0710

Classification Category:

7:Distribution & Transportation Artifacts ➞ Container

Marks/Labels:

"Golden Bat Cigarettes Sweet & Mild" on front of package. "10 Cigarettes - Push this end" on side flaps.
"10 Cigarettes & Mouthpieces" on side of box. Chinese Script on other side and on back of box.

Materials:

binding agents ➔ adhesive

Dimensions:

4.5 cm L
1.5 cm W
7 cm H

Provenance of Object:

This box was left behind when the Japanese baseball team played Luther in 1930-1931. A note left with the package is on The Norwegian-American Historical Museum letterhead signed by "K.H."

Review of College Chips indicates that the Hosei University team played at Luther April 24, 1931. Luther won both games played. The band played Japanese National Anthem before the game to honor the visiting team.

This object was held in the museum that Luther College started in 1877. This museum eventually grew into the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, and following this, non-Norwegian American ethnographic objects were returned to Luther and accessioned into the college’s Anthropology Collection. Without additional documentation, was likely obtained by the Luther College Museum (later the Norwegian-American Museum) between the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Production Date:

1930-1931

Use/Function:

This empty box held Golden Bat brand cigarettes from Japan. This brand went on the market in 1906 and is still popular in Japan today. The iconic package design, although changed somewhat over the decades, has remained consistent to this day. ;College Chips, April 29, 1931 pp. 4 "Far East Comes off Second Best as Gil Aase, Al Bell Pitch Norse to Pair of Wins Over Hosei, 3-1, 5-1 -- story on April 24th game against Hosei university, champions of Japan. Also front page talks about the band playing Japanese national anthem.

Source Locality:

Japan

Description:

On April 24, 1931, the Luther College baseball team played the champion team from Hosei University, Japan in Decorah, Iowa at Luther College. According to College Chips reporting, Luther won both games. A handwritten note associated with this cigarette box is written on paper with The Norwegian-American Historical Museum indicates that this box was left behind by the Japanese team when they played Luther.

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