• JBR (Bromides)
• JCM (Rectangular Menko)
• JDM (die-cut Menko)
• JF (Food, Candy & Gum)
• JGA (Game Cards)
• JK (Karuta Cards)
• JRM (Round Menko)

Representative examples from each of these groups are illustrated below, along with a description and comparison of each. Note that there are several additional card groups (generally more modern and thus beyond the scope of this website) not listed here. The additional groups are identified near the end of this article.

Rectangular Menko (JCM1)

die-cut Menko (JDM1)

Round Menko (JRM2)

Menko (JCM, JDM and JRM): Some of the earlier and more traditional of these groups fall into a broad category called Menko.

Menko is a game in which cards are thrown at other cards on a flat surface to try to "flip" or turn over the cards of an opponent.

Menko cards are separated by collectors into three distinct groups: Rectangular Menko, Round Menko and die-cut Menko.

Cards from all three menko groups are usually made from thick cardboard and are printed on the backs with various graphics such as team logos, paper/scissors/rock symbols and "menko numbers."

Traditionally, "menko" card backs are either blank or printed with elements that have little or nothing to do with the card throwing game of menko. Thus, such items as paper/scissors/rock icons, dice, playing card images and "menko numbers" are printed that could be used in other games.

Black & White Bromide (JBR8)

Bromides (JBR): Another early group that was very popular following World War II is Bromides, which are most often printed on thin photographic stock.

The earliest bromides were mostly small black and white photos, although many later sets were produced in color and with a larger format.

Most bromides have some labeling in Japanese on the card fronts (often limited to the player's surname and team or playing position). The labeling is usually etched into the film used in the card's production.

Bromides generally have blank backs. Some were used as larger "prize" versions of the smaller (regular) sized cards.

Because they are mostly photographically produced, bromides often provide more detail (higher resolution) than their menko or other traditionally printed counterparts.

Food, Candy & Gum (JF14)

Food, Candy and Gum (JF): Taking advantage of the surge in popularity of baseball in Japan following World War II, a number of food, candy and gum producers sought to increase sales through the distribution of baseball cards in their products.

Among these sponsors were Kobai, Cisco, Gilco, Meiji, Fujiya, Hitachi and other caramel companies, as well as Lotte, Jintan, Seiko, Sakai, Maruto, Orion and Lili gum brands. Other food producers got into the act, resulting in dozens of collecting options for today's hobbyists.

The cards in most of these sets are similar in size to American cards produced at the time. Some, however, measured under 1-1/2 inches square and several gum issues were cut long and narrow allowing insertion into packages of stick gum. One of the more unique and interesting of these was a set printed onto (and stamped into) colored plastic stock.

Game Cards (JGA21)

Game Cards (JGA): The merging of traditional Japanese games such as Menko or Karuta with baseball cards is well known to collectors of Japanese cards.

In addition to these more traditional Japanese "game" cards, baseball simulation games using player's images on the cards became increasingly popular in the late 1940s and early 1950s. These sets often featured the starting lineup from each professional team, often resulting in a somewhat larger set with many lesser known players represented.

Other card sets that parallel those found in a standard deck of 52 playing cards were also produced, as illustrated in the example at left. These playing card sets varied in quality. Some were printed on higher quality stock and were cut with rounded corners, while others were hand cut from sheets printed on lower quality card stock. Most all of the card backs were printed with typical playing card designs.

	Karuta Picture Card (left) and Reading Card (right) (JK1)

Karuta Cards (JK): Karuta cards originally came in pairs and many were packaged in boxes of 40 to 50 cards. Karuta was a game in which hints about players were printed and read on separate "reading cards."

The contestants then tried to match the hints to a corresponding "player" card (which are of course much more highly valued among today's collectors). All cards (both player and reading) were generally blank backed.

As previously indicated, these seven vintage Japanese card groups make up the core of vintage Japanese card sets through about 1960--the nominal cutoff date for the inclusion of sets that are profiled on the Old Cardboard website.

Other "Modern" Card Groups: Beyond the above seven vintage card categories, other Japanese card groups have been identified. While important and widely collected, the vast majority of the cards in these groups was produced in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and after, and thus fall beyond the scope of the Old Cardboard website. They are focused mostly on specific producers including Takara (JT), Calbee (JC), Yamakatsu (JY) and other miscellaneous sets not covered in one of the above groups.

The Japanese section of the Old Cardboard website has been significantly expanded to include Set Profiles for about two dozen additional vintage Japanese baseball card sets. This includes a Gallery of Sets page organized according to the above groups to assist the user in identifying the sets profiled.

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Editor's note: a co-author of this article, Japanese baseball historian Rob Fitts, has just completed his sixth book, "An Illustrated Introduction to Japanese Baseball Cards." The book is available now and can be ordered on his website at https://www.robfitts.com.