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DescriptionThis is a pre-WWII Japanese naval commemorative sake cup connected to the Imperial Japanese Navy armored cruiser Kasuga.The center of the cup is marked:“Warship Kasuga”and around the rim:“Commemorating the Expedition of Men from Yamagata Prefecture.”The front is decorated in a traditional Japanese style with a naval anchor, rising-sun rays, cherry blossoms, and a crane, all rendered in gold over a deep red lacquer-style surface.Kasuga was originally built in Italy and acquired by Japan in 1904, shortly before the Russo-Japanese War. She took part in major operations including the Battle of the Yellow Sea, the Battle of Tsushima, and the campaign against Sakhalin.After her front-line combat career, Kasuga continued serving the Japanese Navy for decades and was later used for training and instructional duties. She survived into World War II, was sunk by U.S. aircraft in 1945, and was later raised and scrapped after the war.The inscription “Expedition Commemoration” suggests that this cup was likely made to commemorate one of Kasuga’s later voyages or training deployments, possibly during the Taisho or early Showa period. No exact date is engraved, so the dating is presented as an informed estimate rather than a certainty.Commemorative sake cups had a special place in the Japanese military. They were often produced to mark important moments such as enlistment, discharge, overseas deployment, training, campaigns, or service aboard a specific warship.Naval examples are especially collectible because the number of sailors connected to any individual ship was far smaller than the enormous number of men who served in the Imperial Japanese Army.What makes this example particularly attractive is its very specific inscription:Warship Kasuga
Yamagata Prefecture
Expedition CommemorationThis gives the piece a much stronger historical identity than a generic military cup.The lacquer-style finish and gold decoration also reflect the high level of Japanese decorative craftsmanship often seen in period commemorative ware. It is not only a naval collectible, but also a small piece of Japanese material culture from the prewar era.Age-related wear, scratches, minor staining, and some loss to the gold decoration are present. Please examine all photos carefully for condition.Own a Piece of History.Shipping
FedEx or Japan Post
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