This is an antique Japanese military sake cup, decorated with a crane, with a rising sun coming out of a sea with crashing waves as a very beautiful and detailed decoration. The words on the front are "China Incident" "Wish for fighting steadily" and on the left the vertical words "The Spring of the 70th Birthday". The imagery of the crane also symbolizes longevity. On the back are the words "Meiji 2nd Year Feudal Lords Returning their domain" - this is the event in 1869 when the feudal lords agreed to give up their domains and turn their territories into administrative units of the central government. 70 years after 1869 is 1939 - right when the China Incident was at its peak fighting. This was a cup for someone who just turned 70 and he was probably born the year the lords gave up their land, thus the phrase on the back. The words in the center on the back are "Made by Shimadamatsu". 

Condition: Mint

Size: 3.25" across