Collecting Japanese Baseball Cards: Talk and Reception with Robert K. Fitts

Held in celebration of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s upcoming Yakyu | Baseball: The Transpacific Exchange of the Game exhibition.

America’s pastime was introduced to Japan over 150 years ago, and over that time it’s grown into a beloved cultural ambassador and institution. Japan Society now takes a look back at Japanese baseball —more specifically, Japanese baseball cards. Acclaimed author and Japanese baseball historian Robert K. Fitts, whose works include An Illustrated Introduction to Japanese Baseball Cards, joins us to discuss the history of Japanese baseball cards from their beginnings in the late 19th century to the present day. Fitts will show examples of these fascinating and colorful collectibles and talk about legendary Japanese players and the evolution of the sport. At the close of his talk, he will be joined by collector Seth Coren for an onstage Q&A.

Following our onstage event, all attendees are welcome to join us in in lobby for a reception featuring:

• A book signing with Robert K. Fitts
• Complimentary Sake, Wine, and Beer
• A display of Japanese baseball cards and memorabilia from Coren’s collection

Attendees are welcome to bring their own Japanese baseball cards for identification.

About Robert K. Fitts

Robert K. Fitts is one of the leading authorities on Japanese baseball and has written ten books on Japanese baseball and baseball cards including Banzai Babe Ruth: Baseball, Espionage, and Assassination during the 1934 Tour of Japan; Issei Baseball: The Story of the First Japanese American Ballplayers; An Illustrated Introduction to Japanese Baseball Cards and Mashi: The Unfulfilled Baseball Dreams of Masanori Murakami, The First Japanese Major Leaguer. His next book, In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball, will be released in November 2025.

About Seth Coren

Seth Coren is a longtime Japan Society member and avid baseball fan.  He was first exposed to Nippon Professional Baseball in 1992, enjoying his first trip to Koshien with his fanatical Hanshin Tigers host family. Professional activity and personal passion have kept Seth close to U.S.-Japan affairs, and a leadership role as President of PSLL-NYC Little League brought baseball (and softball) back to the fore. He is thrilled to share unique baseball artwork (MLB and NPB) from his collection, as well as a variety of baseball cards and items thematically related to the 1934 Tour of Japan.

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Japan Society’s 120th anniversary initiatives and related programs are generously supported by Champion Sponsor, MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Advocate Sponsor, Mizuho Americas; and Friend Sponsor, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas).

Japan Society programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Additional support for cultural programs is provided by an anonymous donor; Sendon and BuyJapon; the Sandy Heck Lecture Fund; and Anime NYC.

We are grateful for the generous product donation from 50Hertz Tingly Foods.