Here are some examples of the kanji for
WARSHIP, pronounced GUN-KAN. The name
of the ship usually follows this phrase.
There are a few types of cups that are much rarer than others: tank unit cups,
cups from Taiwan, train engine cups, and some of the rarer helmet-type cups.
Named ship cups belong in this group. Few of these cups remain--or can be
found--for unknown reasons. But a cup given to a sailor from a certain ship has a
nice historic flavor to it. And the fates of most of these ships adds to the rarity
and the attraction of owning some of these parts of history. Here is my collection
of named ship cups. Still wondering if I can get a cup from each ship! One
problem is that sometimes two ships in the IJN had the same name. If a cup is
marked HIEI, we are not sure which Hiei warship it refers to since there were
two. This uncertainty might be part of the fun.
BATTLESHIP ASAHI
The characters read 'Warship Asahi, Urashio Defense
Commemorative.' Urashio is the old Japanese name for
Vladivostok (Russia). This may have been during the battle
of Port Arthur. It is very rare to have not only a named
warship cup, but also one that pinpoints a place where the
ship was located.
Cruiser Aso
Superbly hand-painted named warship cup, very scarce. Note the fine detail
in the ship.
Inscribed 'Meiji 40 [1907] Warship Hashidate, Long Voyage Across the Seas
Commemorative, Kumagai'.
Very rare sake cup set from one of the most famous
battleships in Japanese history, the Mikasa.
Click here for the Wikipedia entry on this ship.
Minty and really beautiful, untouched throughout the
years. Obviously, items from this battleship are
exceedingly rare.
Inscribed 'Onkokenshou,' which translates
something like 'In praise of deeds gone unnoticed.'
On the reverse 'Battleship Mikasa, Gift to
Hishashiishi Taro, From All the Non-Commissioned
Officers'.

Notice the fine gilt work, which includes many
traditional Japanese symbols: crane, turtle, pine,
cherry blossoms, and bamboo.
The light cruiser Tatsuta. Lacquered wood cup with gold gilt leaves and
wavy lines that probably represent water.
Inscribed in the base 'Showa 4 [1929] October 13-14th, The Crown
Prince [?]hito, Boarding the Vessel Commemorative, Warship Tatsuta'.
Here is a superb named warship cup with a detailed map of the Pacific.
Labeled on this map are the different places the ship went on her voyage. A
line shows the route.

The places labeled (in order) are Yosuka, Keelung [Taiwan], Macaw,
Chujowan Takanu (???), Hong Kong, Palau, Angaur, Yap, Truk, Jaluit Atoll,
Hawaii, Honolulu, San Pedro, San Francisco, and Vancouver.

Inscribed 'with four pairs of highly stylized kanji: 'Taisho 8 [possibly 6], Long
Voyage, Yakumo'.

The cruiser Yakumo went on 14 different training voyages beginning in 1921,
so Taisho 8 [1920] would probably be the correct date. (If so, this voyage
must have been something other than a training voyage.)
Sake cup from the battlecruiser Kongo.
Click here for the Wikipedia entry on this ship.

Nice hand-painted battle flag and anchor. Around the
rim is a series of Imperial mum.  Inscribed 'Battleship
Kongo, Voyage Commemorative'.