| This is an unglazed tokkuri and sake cup set, made to commemorate the Showa Emperor's (Hirohito's) enthronement. The Imperial Ho-o birds have been stamped on the inside lid along with this inscription: 'Imperial Gift, Showa 3 [1928], Imperial Enthronement.' The cup has 'Imperial Gift' in the bowl. The original paulonia wood box is really nice. The lid slides in from the top and the cup has its own compartment. There is also a separate lid (apart from a cork) for the tokkuri. |
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Showa Emperor Enthronement
The Showa Emperor ascended to the throne upon the death of his father in 1926. However, the
official enthronement ceremonies were not held until 1928. In this year, all across the nation official
ceremonies and parties were held, and people who attended often got sake cups as a
commemorative. I suspect a donation was also involved, but that is just speculation.
The designs varied from place to place; i.e., there was no set design. However, the most common
designs incorporated one of the two main imperial crests (the mum and the paulonia leaves). The
Imperial Ho-o bird appears often, too.
There are two phrases that positively identify a cup as an Enthronement item. First is the phrase
taiten, which means 'Imperial event.' This phrase was also used for the Taisho Emperor's
enthronement and for other Imperial events, so this second inscription is necessary:
Showa 3 [1928].
official enthronement ceremonies were not held until 1928. In this year, all across the nation official
ceremonies and parties were held, and people who attended often got sake cups as a
commemorative. I suspect a donation was also involved, but that is just speculation.
The designs varied from place to place; i.e., there was no set design. However, the most common
designs incorporated one of the two main imperial crests (the mum and the paulonia leaves). The
Imperial Ho-o bird appears often, too.
There are two phrases that positively identify a cup as an Enthronement item. First is the phrase
taiten, which means 'Imperial event.' This phrase was also used for the Taisho Emperor's
enthronement and for other Imperial events, so this second inscription is necessary:
Showa 3 [1928].
Three examples of both the taiten phrase and the Showa 3 date.
taiten
Gold gilt kanji: shi, short for onshi (Imperial gift).
Gold gilt kanji: shi (Imperial gift) is the first. The
second I cannot identify.
second I cannot identify.
| Lacquered wood cup with Imperial birds and Imperial paulonia leaves in gold gilt. Also kanji meaning 'Banzai!' This is a cup commemorating the enthronement of Emperor Hirohito in 1928. The box lid has a red stamp that reads 'Kyoto, Imperial Enthronement, Showa 3 [1928] November 14th.' Also a 3 sen stamp. May be a postage stamp. The cup is inscribed 'Imperial Enthronement, Showa 3 [1928] November'. |
