This is an original. Vintage Japanese lacquerware sake cup set. “Navy Service Completion Commemorative” item. During the pre-WWII Showa period. Inside the base of each cup, the original gold inscription reads. “Naval Service Completion Commemoration”. Indicating that this set was formally presented to commemorate the successful completion of naval duty. Historical Background (Easy to Understand). Compared to the Imperial Japanese Army, the. Japanese Navy had far fewer personnel. And naval service carried a significantly higher risk due to maritime operations. Completion commemorative items from the Navy are considered particularly scarce today. These objects were not everyday tableware. They were ceremonial items, created to. Mark survival, completion, and return. An important milestone in a sailor’s life. The Meaning of Sake Cups in Japanese Culture. In Japan, sake cups traditionally symbolize. Celebration of life milestones. Shared bonds and gratitude. Such cups were used during formal gatherings and commemorative occasions, rather than daily use. About Japanese Lacquerware. This set is finished in. Deep red natural lacquer with hand-applied gold decoration. Traditional Japanese lacquerware is known for. Aging beautifully over time. Because each piece requires skilled manual work. Authentic vintage lacquerware sets like this are increasingly difficult to find. Design & Set Details. Classic red lacquer finish with gold accents. Traditional auspicious pine and plum motifs. Three-piece graduated cup set. Intended for ceremonial and commemorative use. This is not simply a decorative antique. Reflecting Japanese cultural values of duty, completion, and gratitude – preserved in traditional lacquerware form. A meaningful piece for collectors of. Approximate 7-21days(To USA).
This is an original red lacquer ceremonial sake cup created to commemorate the Imperial Enthronement Ceremony (, Gotairai) of Emperor Showa (Hirohito) in 1928 (Showa 3). The inside of the cup features the bold character?? (“Tamawaru” – “Bestowed” or “Imperial Gift”), symbolizing honor and blessing. Around the outer rim, in gold lacquer, it reads. ? (“Commemorating the Imperial Enthronement Ceremony of Showa 3″). The cup is finished with a fine gilt rim. Box inscription (on the lid interior). The original wooden box has an important inscription, which connects this cup to a later historical event. Right column: Showa 4 (1929), April 25 – Yasukuni Shrine, on the occasion of the Temporary Grand Festival. Center column: Dedication of martial arts demonstrations (?) – bayonet drills and kendo matches were performed. Left column: Signed with affiliation/names (partially in cursive script, preserved as-is). The red circular seal is the mark of the original lacquerware shop. This means the cup, originally made for the 1928 Enthronement, was later dedicated or presented in 1929 at Yasukuni Shrine during a major festival, in connection with martial arts dedication ceremonies. This double provenance-Imperial and martial-greatly enhances its historical value. Who: The Japanese people, martial arts groups, and Shinto community honoring the Emperor. What: A commemorative lacquer sake cup celebrating the Showa Emperor’s enthronement and later used in a Yasukuni Shrine martial arts dedication. When: Cup produced in 1928 (Showa 3); box inscription dated 1929 (Showa 4). Where: The enthronement ceremonies were held in Kyoto; the dedication occurred at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. Why: To celebrate the enthronement as a national event, and to dedicate martial arts performances to the spirits of the fallen. How: Such lacquer cups were used in ceremonial banquets and dedication rituals, then preserved in wooden boxes with inscriptions noting the occasion. Japanese lacquer (urushi) is made from the sap of the lacquer tree. It produces a hard, glossy, and durable coating admired for centuries. This cup uses red lacquer (shu-urushi) with gold-painted inscriptions and a gilt rim, typical of high-quality ceremonial vessels. Care: Avoid direct sunlight and alcohol cleaners. Simply wipe gently with a soft dry cloth. Imperial Enthronement + Yasukuni Shrine martial arts dedication – two major historical events connected in one artifact. Large bold character?? inside, symbolizing honor and Imperial blessing. Original inscribed box with provenance, making it valuable as both a ceremonial object and a historical document. Excellent for collectors of Japanese Imperial memorabilia, martial arts history, and Shinto-related artifacts. ? This is not just a sake cup, but a piece of Japanese history with strong connections to the Imperial Enthronement of Emperor Showa and the Yasukuni Shrine martial traditions of the early Showa period. Approximate 7-21days(To USA).
This is an original Imperial Japanese Army commemorative sake cup dating to 1931 (Showa 6). Around the rim, the following inscription is clearly written in Japanese. “Showa 6 – Imperial Japanese Army Special Grand Maneuvers”. What were the 1931 Army Special Grand Maneuvers? The Imperial Japanese Army Special Grand Maneuvers were large-scale, officially organized military exercises held periodically to test command structure, troop coordination, and national defense readiness. The 1931 maneuvers are particularly significant, as they were conducted in the same year as the Manchurian Incident, a turning point in East Asian history. These exercises were not ceremonial events, but serious preparations reflecting rising international tensions and Japan’s expanding military posture at the time. As a result, items related to the 1931 maneuvers are regarded today as important pre-war historical artifacts, rather than simple souvenirs. Meaning of the inscription ” (Shinbu)”. The center of the cup bears the gold-lettered phrase. This term can be translated as to inspire and uphold martial spirit. It was commonly used by the Imperial Japanese Army to express ideals of discipline, morale, and duty. Its presence strongly indicates that this cup was produced for an official military occasion, not for private or commercial sale. The special relationship between the Japanese Army and sake cups. In the Imperial Japanese Army, sake cups were deeply symbolic objects. They were used during. Rather than everyday drinkware, these cups served as ritual objects representing loyalty, unity, and remembrance. Commemorative cups bearing specific dates and events were typically distributed only to participants or officials, which makes surviving examples relatively scarce today. Japanese lacquer craftsmanship. This cup is finished in traditional Japanese lacquer (urushi). Japanese lacquerware is known for. Resistance to moisture and decay. Beautiful aging over time. Each piece was hand-coated in multiple layers, making true lacquer items difficult to mass-produce. Even military-issued lacquerware adhered to a certain quality standard, and many were lost or damaged during the war years. The remaining surface wear and aging visible today are consistent with an authentic pre-war lacquer piece and add to its historical character. Shows expected wear, scratches, and surface aging consistent with age. No major cracks or structural damage. This item is offered as a historical artifact, not as functional drinkware. An authentic 1931 Imperial Japanese Army commemorative lacquer sake cup, directly connected to a pivotal year in modern Japanese history. Highly suitable for collectors of. Imperial Japanese military memorabilia. Approximate 7-21days(To USA).