This is an antique Japanese military sake cup, decorated with a badge of the Order of Rising Sun on the front. The words on the back are "Annual Marksmanship Excellent Award" "19th Infantry Regiment 7th Company". The words on the top of the lid are "Award Cup" and on the back of the lid "Meiji 21st Year" "Gifted on the Nagoya Training Grounds as award for Marksmanship Excellence" "19th Infantry Regiment 7th Company HQ" and "Award recipient" and the full name Hosoe Kuniyoshi. Under the box are also the words "Award recipient Hosoe Kuniyoshi" and "Meiji 21st Year". This is a very rare mid Meiji award - cups before the Russo Japanese war are not common at all. I am also selling another cup from one year prior from the same unit, probably for a family relative of this winner here.

Size: 4.75" across

Condition: Excellent - some surface scratches