| IMPERIAL CUPS related to MANCHURIA |
| Crest of the Royal family of Manchuria on pure silver sake cups, most likely awarded by the Emperor Pu-Yi. Obviously very rare and valuable. |
| A sake cup set commemorating the Manchurian Emperor's visit to Japan |
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| Extremely rare Japanese sake cup with the Imperial Orchid crest of the Manchukuo Emperor Pu-Yi. I have seen only 3 or 4 cups with this crest. Inscribed 'His Imperial Highness the Emperor of Manchukuo, Visit to Japan Commemorative, Imperial Year 2600 [1940].' On the reverse: 'Showa 15 [1940] June 30, In the Hospital, Tokyo 3rd Army Special Hospital.' A few words of interpretation, open to debate. First, Pu-Yi made two state visits to Japan, 1935 and 1940, and the latter visit is obviously what this cup refers to. Second, the phrase 'In the hospital [zaiin]' can refer to either a worker in the hospital or a patient. I tend to think it is the former, most likely a doctor, because of the high quality of the cup (and because I cannot imagine patients getting this kind of cup). The crest is in silver gilt and the inscription is in gold, and the varying colors is uncommon. Third, I imagine that the Manchukuo Emperor visited the hospital and had a formal dinner for the elite doctors and administrators. At this time I think the cup would have been awarded to the attendees. This third point is conjecture, but it seems to be the most likely origin of the cup. It is certainly possible that the Emperor himself did not attend, but a member of his entourage did. The original paulonia wood box is included, but the ties are missing. It is marked 'Commemorative' in gold gilt and has the cup maker's label on the inside lid. The label reads 'Fine Art Lacquer Ware Ordering Shop, Muto Saburo Shop, Tel 7990, Nihonbashi Ward, Honmachi 1 Chome No. 8.' |
Very rare cup with the Imperial Orchid crest of
Pu-Yi, the last Chinese emperor. This crest is
very hard to find on cups.
The inscription here is quite interesting:
'Manchukuo, Friends of the Army Association
Member, Remove the Bandits Commemorative.'
Note that the name of the country here is not
Manshu (still used for the area and translated
Manchuria) but Manshu-koku (translated as
Manchukuo, the puppet empire).
Also the other phrase is somewhat archaic. The
bandits are probably the Chinese who were
continuously giving headaches to the Japanese
colonizers.
Pu-Yi, the last Chinese emperor. This crest is
very hard to find on cups.
The inscription here is quite interesting:
'Manchukuo, Friends of the Army Association
Member, Remove the Bandits Commemorative.'
Note that the name of the country here is not
Manshu (still used for the area and translated
Manchuria) but Manshu-koku (translated as
Manchukuo, the puppet empire).
Also the other phrase is somewhat archaic. The
bandits are probably the Chinese who were
continuously giving headaches to the Japanese
colonizers.
'Remove the Bandits Commemorative'
