| Absolutely superb hand-painted set. Fantastic artwork and wonderful condition. The design shows a Japanese soldier planting a flag on the island of Taiwan, which is labeled 'Japanese Territory.' There is an upside-down Chinese soldier that probably is a symbol of the Chinese defeat. Underneath are stylized clouds. Around the Japanese soldier, this is inscribed: 'Suppression of Taiwan, Great Victory of the Army.' Around the rim, this is written: 'Aomori Infantry, 5th Regiment, 9th Company, Superior Private, Kanehira.' Written on the inside lid of the original box: 'Aomori Infantry, 5th Regiment, 3rd Battalion, 9th Company, 1st Platoon, Kanehira Kumagoro, Meiji 30 [1900] November 30, Term Fulfillment Discharge, Return Home Commemorative Sake Cups.' Such a detailed inscription is quite rare. |
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Soldier page 9
| Japanese soldier with a bayonet and rifle standing on the Great Wall of China. The inscription reads 'China Incident, Victorious Return Commemorative'. The poem says something like 'Your body is lighter than a feather, but duty is heavier than a mountain. Do your duty and you can return home and enjoy the blossoms.' |
| A rare hand-painted soldier and horse cup. This is certainly a unique item: the soldier is holding a paintbrush and palette! Inscribed '9th Cavalry, Discharge Commemorative.' |
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| Japanese soldiers scouting? Charging? No inscriptions, but I have seen this design on cups from the Meiji era. |
| Japanese soldiers on horseback. Inscribed: 'Celebration of the Victorious Army, Banzai to Imperial Japan.' |
| Japanese soldier with rifle and bayonet. Inscribed 'We will sacrifice our lives for the country.' |
| Japanese soldier by the Great Wall of China. Inscribed 'China Incident Commemorative.' |
| Superb Japanese soldier design. The lines are clear and the coloring is very nice. Inscribed 'Transport Infantry 3rd Battalion, Discharge Commemorative.' |
| The soldier appears to be standing on clouds, though it could be smoke from the battle. The 4 red kanji around the rim mean 'Strap on your helmet tightly.' The long passage in the center can be translated as 'With a pure spirit and wearing your helmet as a crown, you create endurance [??], spread open the regiment standard.' (Sorry for the sloppy translation...) |