Very Rare Antique Japanese 1895 Sino Japanese War Brothers-in-Arms Army Sake Cup with Letter
This is a very rare and special antique Japanese army sake cup. The cup itself is decorated with the two big characters that say literally "War Friend" but probably better translated as "brother-in-arms". The words on the back are "Meiji 27/28th Years War Commemoration" and in the center "8th Company". There is a letter that comes with the cup and the box. The letter says the following:
"One Brother-in-Arms Cup
Received for combat in said unit
Meiji 29th Year October
Infantry 16th Regiment 8th Company (with official seal)
Army Private First Class Mr. Namiki Mageki"
The letter is also written on official regimental letterhead. I think this cup was probably given to everyone in the company for having fought in the war - again, a cup that is given from soldiers/unit to each other to remember a war.
The box is probably not original and a replacement of some sort.
Condition: Mint. The letter is a bit worn on the edges.
Size: 3.25" across