Very Rare Antique Japanese Military Order of Sacred Treasure 1st 2nd Class Star Lacquer Sake Cups
This is a set of 3 antique Japanese military lacquer sake cups, decorated each with a star of the Order of Sacred Treasure - the star was only award to 1st or 2nd class recipients (the 1st class also got a badge with a neck ribbon). Recipients were usually high ranking officers, nobles, that sort of thing. The words on the back of each of the cups are "Meiji 37/38th Years War Commemoration". The picture of the star are done in great detail - down to the gold/silver alternating pattern of the rays.
The cup comes in a wooden box. On the lid of the wooden box are the words "Russo Japanese War Commemoration Cups" and on the underside is a note by the collector - he bought it in Showa 60 April 4th (1985) at a shop in Koto district in Tokyo. There's also some little stickers on the side of the box - one says "rare piece" and the other is a price tag of 20,000 yen. The box is probably a replacement and not original period box.
Condition: Excellent - the silver of the original lacquer is now a bit dull, so it's more gray than silver. There's some minor discoloration as a result
Size: 3.75", 4.25", and 5" across