Japanese castle cup with interesting inscription. It is inscribed 'Nagoya
Chindai'. Nagoya of course is a city, but chindai refers to the system of the
Imperial Army before the conscription system began. Before this, the troops
consisted of Imperial Guards drafted from the armies of feudal clans.

The Japanese Wikipedia claims that the chindai system lasted from 1871 to
1888.

I am not sure if this cup is from that period or commemorates that period.
Either way, it is a nicely hand-painted cup.
Chindai

Inscribed 'Imperial Japan, Hiroshima Chindai.'
Two cups that are inscribed 'Osaka Garrison [Chindai].' The cup on the right is really unusual. Instead of having the 2nd kanji
in CHIN-DAI, a carp is in its place. The word carp is TAI in Japanese, so it fits in the word CHIN-DAI as the latter part. (The
actual kanji is also read TAI on its own, but DAI in the compound.) It is not really a joke, but a clever play on words since the
carp is a symbol of celebration.

The word CHINDAI refers to the garrison before it was designated as a division. The Osaka Garrison was established in
1871 and later became the 4th Division.
.
Read more HERE.
Highly uncommon cup. I am not sure of the material, but it
appears to be painted clay.
The reverse has an embossed crab and what may be waves or
perhaps just decoration. The artist's name is etched near the
base: Mitsutani.

Inscribed 'Sendai Garrison [Chindai] Infantry' and on the reverse
is some writing that I cannot decipher. It is too long to be just a
name.

The word CHINDAI refers to the garrison before it was
designated as a division. The Sendai Garrison was established in
1871 and later became the 2nd Division.

Read more HERE.

Inscribed 'Osaka Garrison, Infantry 10th Regiment.'