 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Essay #2:
How do I date my cups?
How do I date my cups?
Dating cups would seem to be an essential part of cup collecting, and certainly when a specific
date is inscribed, it makes the cup much more interesting. And of course a dated cup allows one
to do some research.
However, dated cups are rare, especially military cups. Some inscriptions can reveal a time
frame. Here is a brief list.
'Conquering China' with the old kanji for China dates the cup to around 1894-5.
'Conquering Russia' indicates a Russo-Japan War (1904-5) cup.
'Manchuria Dispatch' post 1905 but most likely post 1931.
'Korea' post 1910.
'Germany' 'Japan German War' or 'Conquering Germany' 1914-19.
'Siberia' is the Siberian Expedition of 1918-22.
'Manchurian Incident' post 1931
'Shanghai Incident' post 1932
'China Incident' post 1937
'Great East Asia War' post 1941.
(Based on Richard Fuller's list)
Of course, any historical incident or event inscribed on the cup can immediately give you a
starting date.
These are all somewhat obvious if one can read Japanese. But a large portion of military cups
have no inscriptions such as those listed above.
After handling thousands of cups over the years, I have noticed certain trends in styles of the
cups themselves and also the designs on the cups. Here I'd like to help you give a general way to
date cups by looking at the styles. This kind of dating, though, is partly conjectural, so mistakes
should be allowed for. And styles change gradually, not suddenly, so many types of cups may
have been sold even though the style was a bit outdated.
date is inscribed, it makes the cup much more interesting. And of course a dated cup allows one
to do some research.
However, dated cups are rare, especially military cups. Some inscriptions can reveal a time
frame. Here is a brief list.
'Conquering China' with the old kanji for China dates the cup to around 1894-5.
'Conquering Russia' indicates a Russo-Japan War (1904-5) cup.
'Manchuria Dispatch' post 1905 but most likely post 1931.
'Korea' post 1910.
'Germany' 'Japan German War' or 'Conquering Germany' 1914-19.
'Siberia' is the Siberian Expedition of 1918-22.
'Manchurian Incident' post 1931
'Shanghai Incident' post 1932
'China Incident' post 1937
'Great East Asia War' post 1941.
(Based on Richard Fuller's list)
Of course, any historical incident or event inscribed on the cup can immediately give you a
starting date.
These are all somewhat obvious if one can read Japanese. But a large portion of military cups
have no inscriptions such as those listed above.
After handling thousands of cups over the years, I have noticed certain trends in styles of the
cups themselves and also the designs on the cups. Here I'd like to help you give a general way to
date cups by looking at the styles. This kind of dating, though, is partly conjectural, so mistakes
should be allowed for. And styles change gradually, not suddenly, so many types of cups may
have been sold even though the style was a bit outdated.
Printed patterns (transfers) that have grainy lines and are carelessly colored seem to be
from the Sino-Japan War (1894-5). Some may be as late as 1906 or thereabouts. After these
came the larger, more delicate and pricey items. These look to be hastily made, but the poor
quality of printing could be due to the lack of print-transfer technology at that time.
from the Sino-Japan War (1894-5). Some may be as late as 1906 or thereabouts. After these
came the larger, more delicate and pricey items. These look to be hastily made, but the poor
quality of printing could be due to the lack of print-transfer technology at that time.
Next are some beautiful hand-painted cups, items that make sake cup collecting so aesthetically pleasing. Unlike
the previous examples, Japanese hand-painted artistry is exemplary and has been for centuries. What these lack
in historical significance (i.e. not event referred to) they make up for with their beauty.
These kind of cups seem the hardest to date, but they are probably earlier than 1937. Although this is just an
estimate, the larger hand-painted cups appear often during the Taisho and early Showa periods (1912 to 1930).
And though many of the 1904-5 War cups are also of this style, you will rarely see a cup like this with a 'China
Incident' or 'Manchurian Incident' inscription. Cups made after the great media boom of 1931 were often
assembly-line stuff: Printed patterns on smaller, one-shot cups. Perhaps these latter were meant to be used, but
these bigger hand-painted cups were more for display.
the previous examples, Japanese hand-painted artistry is exemplary and has been for centuries. What these lack
in historical significance (i.e. not event referred to) they make up for with their beauty.
These kind of cups seem the hardest to date, but they are probably earlier than 1937. Although this is just an
estimate, the larger hand-painted cups appear often during the Taisho and early Showa periods (1912 to 1930).
And though many of the 1904-5 War cups are also of this style, you will rarely see a cup like this with a 'China
Incident' or 'Manchurian Incident' inscription. Cups made after the great media boom of 1931 were often
assembly-line stuff: Printed patterns on smaller, one-shot cups. Perhaps these latter were meant to be used, but
these bigger hand-painted cups were more for display.
Some phrases also reveal time periods. The following cup has the 'Banzai to the Empire' phrase that, for some reason,
rarely appears on cups from the 1930s or later. In fact, I think that even cups in the 1920s didn't use this phrase much.
A bit more research is needed, but I think that 'Empire' when referring to Japan was used after the Russo-Japan War
and kind of faded into disuse in the later Taisho period (which ended in 1926).
The cup to the right has 'Disbandment' written on it, which probably refers to the re-organization of divisions in the
1920s. There were many disbandments then.
rarely appears on cups from the 1930s or later. In fact, I think that even cups in the 1920s didn't use this phrase much.
A bit more research is needed, but I think that 'Empire' when referring to Japan was used after the Russo-Japan War
and kind of faded into disuse in the later Taisho period (which ended in 1926).
The cup to the right has 'Disbandment' written on it, which probably refers to the re-organization of divisions in the
1920s. There were many disbandments then.
Some materials also reveal time periods. Metal cups are often from the period 1894-1920,
with few coming from the later years. You will rarely see a metal cup from the 1930s and
probably never find one from the 1940s. Metal items were all used for war efforts, not luxury
items.
with few coming from the later years. You will rarely see a metal cup from the 1930s and
probably never find one from the 1940s. Metal items were all used for war efforts, not luxury
items.
The designs often give clues as well. The small (5.5 cm) choko cups seem to have been popular during
the 1930s and 40s, though of course some are earlier (as early as late Meiji). Helmets also can be a
hint if they are accurately painted--which most are not. They seem to be a generic symbol of the
military so not much care was given to the 4 different kinds of helmets. Still, cups such as the ones
below can safely be assumed to be from the 1930s unless some inscription notes otherwise.
the 1930s and 40s, though of course some are earlier (as early as late Meiji). Helmets also can be a
hint if they are accurately painted--which most are not. They seem to be a generic symbol of the
military so not much care was given to the 4 different kinds of helmets. Still, cups such as the ones
below can safely be assumed to be from the 1930s unless some inscription notes otherwise.
The Japanese made military lacquered wood cups throughout the history of the military. The earliest I
have seen was dated 1872 and the latest was 1942. The quality of the gold gilt patterns might be a clue,
though, at least for the better made items. The elaborate ones with thick, beautiful gilt should be
pre-1930 and probably much earlier. Thin gold gilt can be seen on early cups as well as late ones, but
the thick gilt work only appears on pre-Manchurian Incident (1931) items. (Note that it is certainly
possible that the thick gilt cups could be made later. It's just taht I have never seen one).
have seen was dated 1872 and the latest was 1942. The quality of the gold gilt patterns might be a clue,
though, at least for the better made items. The elaborate ones with thick, beautiful gilt should be
pre-1930 and probably much earlier. Thin gold gilt can be seen on early cups as well as late ones, but
the thick gilt work only appears on pre-Manchurian Incident (1931) items. (Note that it is certainly
possible that the thick gilt cups could be made later. It's just taht I have never seen one).
To be continued soon.
Page two in progress
Page two in progress