This is a very rare antique Japanese army transport unit decorative item, made in the shape of a traditional Japanese rice ship, like the one you see in the famous Hokusai  woodblock print Great Wave off Kanagawa. This one has a cover on top and was often used for carrying rice and other goods. The top metal cover is detachable, with a space inside that you can store small items in. The whole thing seems to be delicately hand made - the body of the ship has hammer marks, done in a typical style of fine Japanese metalwork. The stern of the ship has an insignia on it, and the words under the boat are "Taisho 3rd Year (1914) Army Special War Games Commemoration" and the maker's name, Shobido, a famous jewelry/metalwork shop in Osaka. They're still in business.

Condition: Excellent - there's some light ware inside the storage space, as it's lightly used. Otherwise it's in near mint condition

Size: Approximately 6.5" long