WWII Imperial Japanese Army China Incident Commemorative Sake Bottles Set of 4
This is a matching set of four prewar Japanese military commemorative sake bottles made in connection with the Second Sino-Japanese War, known in contemporary Japan as the China Incident. These are often referred to as military sake bottles-ceramic vessels produced for military celebrations, departures, homecomings, unit events, and other commemorative occasions. They were not merely tableware; they served as personal souvenirs tied to a specific moment in a soldier’s service. Each bottle features a highly symbolic military design: A Japanese soldier holding the national flag The Imperial Japanese Army star emblem Cherry blossom decoration The inscription “China Incident Commemoration” The China Incident began in 1937 and became the major conflict between Japan and China before and during World War II. What makes this set especially appealing is that all four matching bottles have survived together. Single military sake bottles are not difficult to encounter, but complete matching groups are much less commonly found. As a set, they give a much stronger sense of how these pieces may originally have been displayed or used at a commemorative gathering. The design is also immediately understandable even for collectors who are new to Japanese militaria. The soldier, flag, army star, and cherry blossoms create a very visual snapshot of Japanese military culture in the late 1930s. The bottles remain in attractive condition for their age. There is some wear to the gilt decoration, along with kiln-related marks, glaze irregularities, and crazing consistent with period ceramic production. Please examine the photographs carefully for condition. More than decorative ceramics, these are surviving examples of how military service and wartime memory entered everyday life in prewar Japan. A strong display set for collectors of Japanese militaria, wartime ceramics, China Incident material, or historical military souvenirs. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note.