Antique Japanese Military North China Map 108th Division Lacquer Army Sake Cup
This is an antique Japanese military sake cup, decorated with a map of north China overimposed with a Japanese flag. The red line on the map is railroads. The gold line is the Yellow River. And the silver line is the route which the unit took - following down the Beijing - Hankow railroad and then exiting through Tianjin (there's a little arrow there). The words are "Imperially Bestowed Gift" "North China Mobilization Commemoration". The words on the back are "Showa 12th to 15th Years" (1937-1940) and on the other side "Unit Commanders Shimomoto/Taniguchi". I did some research and this is the 108th Division. It was a reservist division that got mobilized during the outbreak of the war with China in 1937 and was then dissolved in 1940 after completing their task - this cup basically coincides perfectly with that. From what I understand soldiers finishing a tour like this would get a cash gift, and this is probably a cup made with the money given to the division as that cash gift. Cups with detailed maps like this are pretty rare.
Condition: Mint
Size: 3.5"