Japanese commemorative sake cup featuring a striking rising sun design, delicate floral motif, and gold-colored rim. Red Japanese characters decorate the inside, while the brown ceramic exterior and three small feet give this vintage-style cup distinctive character. Its Japanese militaria theme and World War II-era association make it an appealing collectible for enthusiasts of Japanese history, Asian ceramics, or sake ware. The meaning of the characters has not been verified, and originality is unknown.
Pre-owned condition with minor wear to the gold trim around the rim. Includes one ceramic sake cup only. A decorative display piece or addition to a collection of Japanese commemorative cups and vintage drinkware.
- Purpose: Presented to Japanese soldiers or sailors upon discharge, retirement, promotion, or return from campaigns (such as the Russo-Japanese War through World War II).
- Design Elements: Often include painted or gilded cherry blossoms (representing the transient beauty and sacrifice of a soldier), the Imperial Chrysanthemum seal, rising sun flags, or specific military unit inscriptions.
- Inscriptions: The red or gold kanji lettering typically denotes specific commemorative phrases like "congratulations on discharge" or the name of the division/regiment
this one came with this lot Nasko Hatsumi have more info on him on other listings have his helmet were going to list also.
- Type: Guntai Techō (軍隊手帳) -- an official identification, service record, and personal handbook issued to enlisted personnel in the Imperial Japanese Army.
- Contents Visible: Handwritten entries detailing military enlistment, draft/mobilization dates (such as Shōwa era dates like Shōwa 18 / 19, corresponding to 1943–1944), unit assignments, and movement or service records stamped with red official seal circles.
- Historical Context: Every Japanese soldier was required to carry this book at all times during service. It contained military criminal codes, personal data, and a record of promotions, transfers, and campaigns.
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Column 1 (Far Right):
昭和十九年拾貳月壹日 第一補充兵役ニ編入
- Translation: December 1, 1944: Enrolled into the First Reserve Conscription.
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Column 2:
昭和十八年七月貳拾日臨時召集ニ依リ
- Translation: July 20, 1943: Pursuant to a temporary mobilization order,
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Column 3:
中路第三十八部隊ニ應召 同日三宅部隊編入
- Translation: Responded to the call to duty at the Nakaji 38th Unit. Enrolled into the Miyake Unit on the same day.
- Note: "Nakaji" (中路) and "Miyake" (三宅) serve as cover names or commanding officer surnames to keep the true military unit numbers classified.
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Column 4:
八月六日垣第六五五六部隊補充交代要員
- Translation: August 6: Assigned as a reinforcement replacement personnel for the Kaki 6556th Unit.
- Note: Historical records confirm that the "Kaki Unit" (垣部隊) was the code name for elements of the Imperial Japanese Army dispatched to the Philippines during WWII. [1, 2]
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Column 5:
トシテ屯營出發
- Translation: Departed from the military barracks as such.
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Column 6:
同十八年九月十日宇品港出發
- Translation: September 10, 1943: Departed from Ujina Port.
- Note: Ujina Port (located in Hiroshima) was the primary military port utilized by Japan to send troops overseas during the war.
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Column 7:
同十月十日比律賓マニラ港上陸
- Translation: October 10, 1943: Disembarked (landed) at Manila Port, Philippines.
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Column 8:
同日目回大分部隊ニ轉屬
- Translation: Same day: Transferred to the Meguri Oita Unit.
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Column 9:
昭和十九年十月十日濱中隊ニ編入
- Translation: October 10, 1944: Enrolled into the Hama Company.
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Column 10 (Left Edge):
昭和十九年一月三十日陸軍一等兵
- Translation: January 30, 1944: [Promoted to] Army Private First Class. 101326