The Imperial Guard
The Imperial Guard was formed in 1867 and was originally an elite unit that protected the
Emperor and the Imperial Palace. Troops chosen for the Guard were from various areas of
the country, not like the Infantry regiments that grouped troops according to their hometown
(to promote group cohesiveness). During the 30s and 40s the Imperial Guard divisions saw
action overseas, most notably China.

The insignia of the Imperial Guard appears on most Guard cups, although there are some
examples that have just the kanji indicating the Guard.

The insignia has a military star and two branches of the cherry tree. These branches are tied
in the center with a ribbon.

Below are examples that also include the Imperial Guard flag.

I am not very familiar with the Guard's organization, but I have seen cups marked Guard
Cavalry Unit, Guard Machine Gun Unit, Guard Engineers, and Guard Signal Unit, among others.

Also, it appears there were only 4 regiments.
Beautiful raised insignia cup and bottle.
Although this raised pattern is not rare,
usually the gold gilt has faded. These two
are nice and minty.
Here are the kanji for IMPERIAL GUARD, pronounced KONO-E
in Japanese. Sometimes only the first kanji (the one to the
right) will be used in front of a regiment number or other
descriptive word (like cavalry). Three hand-written examples.
Fantastic IG cup with IG flag and
hand-painted blossoms around the rim.
Signal Unit IG cup. No IG insignia, which often happens.
The kanji KONOE are here, though, always appearing
before the regiment or unit.
Typical Imperial Guard cups with large insignia.
From a 1930s (?) print. The Emperor is in the car
and the mounted soldier in front carries the
KONOE flag. See below for this flag appearing on
cups
IG Cavalry cup with Konoe flags.
4th regiment
Furlough
Commemorative
4th regiment
'1st Imperial Guard, Commemorative'.
Minty Imperial Palace bridge cup. Note that the regiment
number has yet to be filled in. Inscribed 'Imperial Guard
Infantry -- Regiment , Commemorative'.