This hanging scroll is a pre-World War II Japanese historical artwork that visually explains how modern Japan understood state authority, military reform, and national remembrance. Rather than depicting combat, this piece presents the ideological framework behind war memory, making it a valuable primary visual document from early 20th-century Japan. Upper Section: Supreme Authority of the State. At the top are portraits of. During this period, the emperor was not only a monarch but the symbolic center of political and moral authority. Because Emperor Taisho is depicted, this scroll is believed to have been produced after 1910, most likely in the 1910s. Central Section: Anchor, Rising Sun, and Inscription. The center features a rising sun motif combined with an anchor, symbolizing the state and its military institutions. Above this imagery is a handwritten inscription in a style similar to imperial or commemorative verse, conveying the idea that. Those who sacrificed their lives for the nation must be remembered and honored by future generations. This section represents the ideological core of the scroll. Lower Section: Omura Masujiro Statue and Yasukuni Shrine. The lower portion depicts the bronze statue of. Omura Masujiro is widely regarded as the founder of the modern Japanese army. He introduced Western military systems and played a central role in transforming Japan’s feudal forces into a modern national army during the Meiji Restoration. Behind the statue appears. Including its torii gate and main structures. What Is Yasukuni Shrine? Yasukuni Shrine was established to enshrine those who died in service of the state. In prewar Japan, it functioned as a symbolic space where individual deaths were transformed into national memory, closely linked with state ideology and commemoration. Meaning of the Composition. The scroll follows a deliberate vertical structure. Top: The State (Emperors Meiji & Taisho). Middle: Ideology and symbolism (anchor, rising sun, inscription). Bottom: Military foundation and remembrance (Omura Masujiro & Yasukuni Shrine). This structure visually explains how authority, military reform, and remembrance were connected in pre-war Japan. Age-related toning, stains, and wear consistent with pre-WWII materials. Offered strictly as a historical and cultural artifact. No modern political intent or endorsement implied. International Buyers – Please Note. Thank you for your understanding.
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).