| Metal sake cup with military star and branches. Inscribed 'Discharge Commemorative.' |
| Rare metal sake cup that might be a kabuto helmet cup. No inscriptions. Unknown date, probably Russo-Japan War (1904-5). However, it might be much earlier than that. |
| Pewter sake cup with three combat helmets. Inscribed 'Victorious Return Commemorative, 18th Engineer Unit, Matsumoto.' Unknown date, probably 1930s. |
| Pewter sake cup with anchor and battle flag. Inscribed 'Navy Discharge Commemorative.' Unknown date, probably 1920s or 30s. |
| Rare metal sake cup with blossoms and partial map of Manchuria, including Port Arthur and Dairen. Sharp embossed image. Unknown date, probably Russo-Japan War (1904-5). |
| Early metal sake cup with a cherry blossom and Imperial Paulonia Leaves. Gold wash. Sharp embossed image. Inscribed on the reverse: 'Meiji 32 [1899], Imperial Ancestors, Warrior Gods, In Celebration of the Emperor's Birthday, Festival Commemorative Sake Cup.' |
| Extremely scarce General Nogi metal sake cup with gold wash. Around the famous general are the common Imperial symbols, mums and paulonia leaves. Inscribed on the reverse 'Meiji 37-8 [1904-5] Years War, Departure to Russia, Victorious Return Commemorative'. |
| Pewter sake cup with Army star. Inscribed 'Shanghai Incident, Kawamura.' |
| Pewter sake cup with Army star. Inscribed 'Manchuria Dispatch, Victorious Return Commemorative, 48th Infantry, Kishikawa.' |
| Interesting metal sake cup with gold wash from the Russo-Japan War of 1904-5. Inscribed: 'Banzai to the Empire!' |
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| Interesting metal sake cup with gold wash from the Russo-Japan War of 1904-5. IJN flag along with three Japanese flags. Above is a hawk and cherry blossom. Sharp embossed figures. No inscriptions. |
| Interesting metal sake cup with gold wash from the Russo-Japan War of 1904-5. IJN flag and Army Battalion flag. Inscribed: 'Banzai to the Army and Navy!' |
| The pattern shows a hawk being smashed by an anchor. I've never seen such a design before. Inscribed: 'Sacrifice for the Country, Conquer Russia, Victorious Return Commemorative, Meiji 37-8 [1904-5] Years War.' |
Metal sake cups
Commemorative sake cups were made from a variety of materials, among them different kinds of metal. It
seems as though the metal ones were not meant to be used, but I have seen one 1930s ad from a pewter
maker that claimed drinking from a pewter cup is absolutely the best. Common sense (and a few personal
tests) have proven this advertiser wrong. However, I suppose some people must like the feel.
I think it is safe to assume that most metal cups are pre-1935. After 1935 or so, the war machine cranked into
high gear and needed the metal to be used for the war effort. I have seen cups as early as 1894.
Click here to see cups from that period.
I have seen various types of metals used: pure silver, steel, tin, pewter, etc. Some are also plated with a shiny
silver coating, below which is a cheaper, less attractive metal. Oftentimes the bowls were coated with a gold
wash. This wash rarely extended to the reverse.
seems as though the metal ones were not meant to be used, but I have seen one 1930s ad from a pewter
maker that claimed drinking from a pewter cup is absolutely the best. Common sense (and a few personal
tests) have proven this advertiser wrong. However, I suppose some people must like the feel.
I think it is safe to assume that most metal cups are pre-1935. After 1935 or so, the war machine cranked into
high gear and needed the metal to be used for the war effort. I have seen cups as early as 1894.
Click here to see cups from that period.
I have seen various types of metals used: pure silver, steel, tin, pewter, etc. Some are also plated with a shiny
silver coating, below which is a cheaper, less attractive metal. Oftentimes the bowls were coated with a gold
wash. This wash rarely extended to the reverse.