Very Rare Antique Japanese Cruiser Asama Torpedo Unit Navy Sake Cup Set
This is a very rare antique Japanese lacquer sake cup set with stand. The cups are decorated each with a pair of torpedoes and a cherry blossom, while the stand has a pair of flags, one of which is the navy flag, and a kiri. The words on the back of the cups are "Warship Asama Gift to Mr. Ueda" and the other phrase is who the cups were from - "Torpedo Unit Volunteers". This was probably a voluntary gift from some members of the torpedo unit for this Mr. Ueda - no way to tell who he was, but he was probably an officer, maybe someone getting promoted off the ship. The words under the lid of the stand is also "Volunteers". These lacquer cup sets sometimes come with the stand, but it's rare to have a matching stand with the cups.
The cruiser Asama was a protected cruiser commissioned in 1899 that served all the way through WW2 in various capacities. Having a named ship, a specific combat unit on the ship, and in a set is really quite a nice combo.
Condition: The cups are in mint condition. The stand has some damage - please see pictures.
Size: 3.5", 4.25", 5" for the cups, and 6"x6"x6" for the stand.
