This is an antique Japanese military sake cup, decorated with a pair of flags, a cherry blossom, and a kiri. The words on the cup are "Warship Matsushima Long Distance Voyage Commemoration" and the sailor's name Yamanouchi. The Matsushima is the name-ship for the Matsushima class, three ships ordered in the 1880s for the newly established Imperial Japanese Navy. They were named after the Three Views of Japan - three landmarks in Japan famous for their beauty. The Matsushima class was weird - they had Canet guns, a single, super large (at the time) caliber gun of 13-in mounted on the ship and some small secondary armaments. The idea was that a few shots from these Canet guns would destroy any opposition it meets. It didn't work as well but it's an interesting phase in naval design before the Dreadnought showed up. The Matsushima was active during the first Sino-Japanese war and served as the fleet flagship, but only had a minor role in the Russo Japanese War due to how fast naval development was in this period. It was then assigned as a training vessel for cadets and this cup is probably for one of those long distance trips they took to Australia, possibly. I am also selling a cup for the Hashidate. Now if only I can find one for the Itsukushima.

Condition: Mint

Size: 2.5" across