This is an antique Japanese military sake cup, decorated with a chrysanthemum and a kiri, and the words "Mediterranean Sea Combat Commemoration" with a traditional Japanese type signature - probably from the Minister of the Navy or perhaps the squadron commander. This was a special squadron sent in 1916 at the request of the British (Japan and Britain were allies in WW1) to the Mediterranean for fighting German submarines. Japan sent three cruisers with a number of destroyers for convoy work. They stayed till the end of the war. The words on the back of the cup are "Taisho 8th Year (1919) July" which is when they got back to Japan. You can read more about this squadron here.

The cup comes with a period wooden box with an advertisement sheet inside - it's a shop in Kyoto named Minoya, run by a Mr. Inagaki Wasaburo.

Condition: Mint

Size: 3.25" across