Very Rare Antique Japanese Military 1922 Taisho Empress Tour Destroyer Fuji Navy Sake Cups Set
This is a set of 3 antique Japanese military sake cups, decorated each with a banner of the Imperial Household, with a 16 leaf chrysanthemum. On the back of each of the cups are the words "Taisho 11th Year (1922) Her Imperial Majesty Western Tour Service Commemoration" and "Destroyer Fuji". This would've been for the destroyer Fuji, carrying the empress to do a tour of the Western part of the country. At this time the Taisho Emperor was already in very bad health and no longer seen in public, and the Empress took up a lot of public duties. Hosting her on the ship would've been a great honor, thus worthy of commemoration. Fuji was built in 1921 so it was brand new in 1922. The ship actually survived WW2 as it was classed as a patrol boat by then (PT boat 36) and became a repatriation ship, eventually a war prize.
The cups come with original wooden box. The lid of the box says "lacquer cups - Her Imperial Majesty Service Commemoration" "Set of 3 Cups". Under the lid is a label for the shop that sold it, located in Yokosuka.
Condition: Excellent - light blemishes on the surface of a couple cups
Size: 3", 3.75" 4.25" across