WWII Imperial Japanese Shanghai Incident Veteran Lion Inkstand Trophy
Own a Piece of History. This is a rare and heavy commemorative lion-shaped inkstand presented after the Shanghai Incident of 1932 (Showa 7). Engraved on the underside are. “Shanghai Incident Victory Return Commemoration”. “Imperial Military Reservists Association – Tetsusei Ironworks Joint Branch”. This confirms that the piece was a non-commercial presentation item connected to the Imperial Japanese military veteran community. What Was the Shanghai Incident? The Shanghai Incident was a major military conflict fought in Shanghai, China, in 1932 between Japanese and Chinese forces. It is considered one of the important precursors to the later Second Sino-Japanese War. At the time, the battle was heavily reported in Japan, and returning soldiers were celebrated as national heroes. As a result, commemorative presentation items such as this were created for veterans and military-related organizations. What Was the Imperial Military Reservists Association? The Imperial Military Reservists Association (Teikoku Zaigo Gunjinkai) was a massive nationwide organization composed mainly of reserve and retired military personnel. It was not simply a veterans club. It played a major role in connecting local communities with the Japanese military before WWII. Because of this, surviving presentation items from these organizations are deeply tied to the militarization and social atmosphere of prewar Japan. What Is an Inkstand? An inkstand was a desk accessory used during the fountain pen and dip-pen era. Glass ink bottles were originally placed into the two side compartments, while military officers, bureaucrats, teachers, and administrators used them to write official documents. In military environments of the 1930s, countless orders, reports, operational records, and training documents were written by hand. Because of this, an inkstand like this symbolized the military desk itself – the place where commands and records were created. This makes the piece more than simple deskware. It is effectively a military presentation object connected to wartime administration and veteran culture. The central lion sculpture symbolizes power, victory, and military prestige. Lion motifs were frequently used in Japanese military commemorative art during the early Showa era, especially for victory memorials and presentation trophies. The underside is decorated with an intricate traditional Japanese “Sayagata” geometric pattern, a historic symbol representing continuity and eternal prosperity. The craftsmanship and weight are exceptional, giving the piece a true early Showa presence. This is not merely an inkstand. It is a surviving artifact from the moment Japan was rapidly transforming into a militarized nation during the early 1930s. An outstanding piece for collectors of. Prewar Japanese industrial art. Military writing desk antiques. Approximate 7-21days(To USA).