This cartoon depicts a Japanese immigrant attempting to buy property from a white man. As negotiations continue, more Japanese owned stores appear in the background of the the cartoon.Eventually the white man’s disposition shifts from enraged to eager as he finally accepts the offer. This cartoon is offering perspective on the relationship between Japanese immigrants and white Americans in the United States, particularly California. The California Alien Land Law of 1913 was passed the same year this cartoon was created.This law prohibited "aliens ineligible for citizenship" from owning agricultural land or possessing long-term leases, but permitted short-term leases lasting up to three years. This law did not have a large tangible impact on Japanese citizens. However, the law remains relevant, because it reflects the discrimination against Japanese immigrants occuring in the 1910s. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)
Published in the Chicago Tribune in 1913.
"150" -- Handwritten on verso.
"Mr. Hammer 314 Tribune Building" -- Handwritten on verso.
Pencil and ink on board.
Original in University of Missouri Special Collections, John Tinney McCutcheon Collection.
Digitized on September 2017. Equipment: Indus Color Book Scanner. Scanning software: bcs-2 version 3.4.9. Image specifications: 400 dpi, color. Access copies: tiffs with LZW compression, rotated and cropped.
Title supplied by cataloger.
