AboutTom Expertise While it is a huge topic, I am well-versed in World War II generally. There is a huge wealth of information available on the internet, HOWEVER, one has to know the trash from the gems. Many sites which are not obviously credible (govt, university, and museum sites, for ex.), provide erroneous information (intentionally or otherwise).
Experience BA in history, and been reading and studying WW2 as my 'hobby' for 30 years. Regular contributor to several online forums in military history, WW2, and related areas and topics.
Organizations None relevant to this topic.
Education/Credentials BA, History (Secondary Education), with minor in Geography
US Army Engineer Officer (Officer Basic and Advanced Courses)
Question Hi
this is sort of an unusual question. It has to do with the type of goods that we were importing in 1940 /41. I have recently been going through my mom's things and I found a wedding cake topper. You know the bride & groom at the top of the cake?. It was all wrapped up and in really good condition. It is made of china or porcelin not plastic. The bride is dressed in the style of that period but stamped on the bottom is Japan.
Were we importing that type of item at that time in history? My first reaction was probably not. Normaly I would'nt be so inquisitive but my daughter is getting married this December and it would be really special if this indeed was the one my Mom & Dad had on their wedding cake.It would mean alot to her to have something of her grandparent's at her own wedding. But I feel I should be sure that it is possible first. Unfortunately neither of my parents are alive to verify. Nor are any of my relatives that might remember. The topper does not show up in any of the photos from their wedding so that didn't work as a check.
If you can't answer this weird question can yo refer me to another place to check.
Thank you so much.
Answer That is a MOST UNUSUAL question, to be sure!
Now I am no expert, so I cannot answer anything definitively, but a couple observations that will give you some small insights:
1) The trade between US and Japan was regular, normal, and (for the times) quite substantial, up until end of July 1941. That is, we sold them oil, machinery, tools, steel and more. In 1940, the president began to impose trade restrictions, but they were specific and war-related (aviation fuel was the first item). Then, in late July 1941 (less than 5 months before Pearl Harbor) the Japanese moved into French Indochina (e.g., Vietnam), and the US imposed what amounted to a trade embargo on Japan, by freezing their assets here in US. That is, we froze the bank accounts they used to pay for goods, effectively ending trade between the two nations.
2) Remember that in the 'old days' the movement of goods wasn't as quick as it is now. While it would move along fairly fast, items were literally packed in crates, and loaded onto ships, and the loading, unloading and warehousing was itself a laborious job, and not 'quick' like now. Things shipped over may go to a warehouse and sit for a while, then eventually get loaded on a truck or train and shipped somewhere else - it could easily take months - many months - to ship an item from Japan to a store in Ohio, for example.
Based on that, I'd say it is easy to see no reason to be surprised at the item you noted.
Wish I had something specific to tell you, but I had never even thought of that, and do not know what specifically the Japanese sold to the US during the time - only what the US sold Japan (Harley Davidson motorcycles, for example).
