Onshi no Tabako

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Onshi no tabako (恩賜のたばこ) or Onshitabako (恩賜煙草), lit. "imperially bestowed tobacco", were cigarettes distributed by the Emperor of Japan as a mark of imperial favor. Bearing the imperial chrysanthemum crest, they were produced in two forms: zōyō (贈用), cigarettes bestowed as imperial gifts, and settaiyō (接待用), cigarettes distributed at imperial functions such as garden parties and banquets. Produced by the government tobacco monopoly and later by Japan Tobacco, onshi no tabako were presented to military personnel, recipients of decorations, participants in imperial ceremonies, and others associated with the Imperial Household until production ended in 2006. Matching boxes of matches bearing the chrysanthemum crest were also produced. The two categories of onshi no tabako could be distinguished by their markings. Cigarettes intended for imperial bestowal bore the formal sixteen-petal imperial chrysanthemum crest, while those distributed at receptions and other functions of the Imperial Household Agency used a stylized side-view chrysanthemum design incorporating leaves and stem (yokogiku or oreeda). Onshi no tabako should be distinguished from goryō tabako (御料たばこ), tobacco produced for the emperor and empress, and tokusei tabako (特製たばこ), specially manufactured tobacco produced for members of the imperial family and for presentation by the Imperial Household. In June 2005, the Imperial Household Agency announced that onshi no tabako would be discontinued by the end of fiscal year 2006. The cigarettes had traditionally been distributed as tokens of appreciation to individuals who assisted during imperial visits and other imperial activities, but were to be replaced by confectionery and other gifts in response to changing attitudes toward smoking.