| A heavy, thick Funereal tokkuri from the Russo-Japan War. The pattern is subdued, as to be expected. Two cherry blossoms and seven falling petals, which represent the fallen soldier. The characters read 'Commemorative.' On the reverse this is inscribed: 'Deceased, Army Infantry, Holder of the 5th Class of the Rising Sun Order and 5th Class of the Golden Kite, Captain Yoshida Tosanrou, Meiji 37 [1904], November 26th, Around the Area of Port Arthur, Killed in Action [senshi].' No chips or cracks. Very rare to find such a commemorative item of any type referring to a KIA soldier. Measures about 16 cm high. |
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Killed in Action items
KIA items refers to items that specifically refer to a dead soldier
or sailor. Normally the pattern is simple and unimpressive, which
means you need to be able to read the kanji to identify these
kinds of items.
I have seen only four KIA items: 2 cups and one tokkuri. You can
see photos of three of them here. The third one I had years ago
and I forgot to save a picture.
Not really sought after by collectors, probably because of the
lack of visual appeal. Yet these are highly personal and touching,
made especially for a loved one.
or sailor. Normally the pattern is simple and unimpressive, which
means you need to be able to read the kanji to identify these
kinds of items.
I have seen only four KIA items: 2 cups and one tokkuri. You can
see photos of three of them here. The third one I had years ago
and I forgot to save a picture.
Not really sought after by collectors, probably because of the
lack of visual appeal. Yet these are highly personal and touching,
made especially for a loved one.
| This cup seems to have been given to a family of a dead soldier by a veteran's group. The military star is crudely drawn, though this may have been done on purpose. Inscribed 'Killed in Action, 7th Anniversary of Mourning Commemorative.' On the reverse: 'Miyagawa Military Association.' |
| Killed in Action [senbyou-shi] Byou usually refers to sickness. So this phrase actually translates as 'Die from a disease contracted at the front.' |
| Large Kutani bowl made to commemorate a deceased soldier. The pattern has finely detailed flowers in the bowl and on one side of the reverse. Inscribed: 'Deceased Army Sergeant-Major Hirata Matayuki, Holder of the 7th Class Rising Sun and the 6th Class Golden Kite, Unveiling of the Monument Made in his Honor Commemorative.' 'Monument' here might be something small, so I'm not sure what it refers to. Also, this may or may not be a KIA item since it doesn't say when he died. |
This kanji in front of a
personal name means
'deceased' but not
necessarily KIA.
personal name means
'deceased' but not
necessarily KIA.