Antique Japanese Military North China Map 108th Division Lacquer Army Sake Cup
Antique Japanese Military North China Map 108th Division Lacquer Army Sake Cup

Antique Japanese Military North China Map 108th Division Lacquer Army Sake Cup

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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: One spot on the front where the lacquer paint is a little cracked, please see pictures

Size: 3.5"

Antique Japanese Military North China Map 108th Division Lacquer Army Sake Cup
Antique Japanese Military North China Map 108th Division Lacquer Army Sake Cup
Antique Japanese Military North China Map 108th Division Lacquer Army Sake Cup
Antique Japanese Military North China Map 108th Division Lacquer Army Sake Cup