This is an antique Japanese military sake cup, decorated with an anchor, a star, and the words "Commendation". The back of the cup has the words "Shiga prefecture Respect Martiality Association". These cups are given to soldiers returning from the front from particular prefectures. I've always wondered how they were given out - and now we have a clue in the box. The box has a very nicely written lid, with the words "Meiji 37/38th Year, Russo Japanese War Victory Commemoration" "Victorious Return Cup" and then the personal details in the lower half, "Imperial Guards Infantry 4th Regiment 6th Company" "Private 1st Class Ueda Kurazo. So while the cups are not personalized, the boxes are and would've been given out to the soldiers that way. It's a neat little detail for a cup that I've seen a few times.

Condition: A small spot of paint chip at 4 o'clock at the rim. The box is in fine condition

Size: 3.25" across