Posted 2016/11/17
15th century has marked the beginning of Chinese overseas trade.Tobacco leaves began to be Introduced from Luzon (part of present-day Philippines). At first, the tobacco produced in northwestern China, east of Shanhai Pass, and in Fujian Province, was of the best quality. Accordingly, people in northern China called the tobacco from the northeast "Guandong Yan" (tobacco from areas east of Shanhai Pass).
Tobacconists' signs were classified into three main types: word, word banner and model type. The one in the illustration is a word type. At the top is a wooden crown, with upper part carved with flowers, while the lower part is not carved. The two parts were painted respectively in yellow and blue. Under the crown hang three square boards saying "Guan" (pass), "Dong" (east) and "Yan" (tobacco), with a trailing red pendant. Word banners were similar in form to word signs, the only difference lying in the material. The most common way was to hang a white cloth banner under a wooden crown with a big character "Yan" (tobacco) written at its center. Its four comers were each sewn with a red cloth square as decoration.
