This is a very nice set of antique Japanese military sake cups, decorated each with a crane and a turtle, with the turtle cradling an anchor and a crane with a flag. The words on top of each of the cups are "Congratulations to Inagaki Saichi Term Fulfillment". The words on the back of the cups are "All Members of Warship Manshu Starboard Side Engine Department". The Manshu was a pretty unique ship - it's named after Manchuria. The ship was originally an ocean liner built by Austria and operated by the Russians. It just happened to be in Japan right before the Russo Japanese war broke out, and while it left port a few days before the declaration of war, the ship was quickly captured afterwards and drafted into the Japanese navy. It was used as an aviso or dispatch boat. The ship also served as a survey ship in the 1920s. It was discharged and served as target practice in 1932.

Because it was an ocean liner, the ship was really well equipped in terms of rooms, furniture, and that sort of thing. So it served numerous times as a special boat for ferrying VIPs, as the emperor's viewing ship for naval fleet reviews, and other similar duties where a nice interior is useful.

Condition: Mint

Size: 3", 3.75", 4.5"