| DIFFERENT STYLES The cups here don't really fit on any existing page. No unified theme, just some interesting examples. Click here to see more cups. |
| Strange embossed whistling cups from the 36th Infantry. Dated Showa 2 [1928]. |
| Superb cup showing people at a festival, perhaps, or in a parade. The characters say 'Banzai to the Empire!' |
| Strange embossed whistling cup from the Imperial Navy. |
| Boshin War (1869) 50th Anniversary cup. Very rare to find any commemorative item referring to this civil war. Pewter. |
| Pewter cup with handgun and sword. Although rifles are often found on cups, handguns are not. |
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| Rare whistling sake cup with a Navy design. When you sip the sake, a charming whistle fills the air. The bowl has a gold bird. The reverse is really the wonderful part, though: Embossed Navy anchor & blossom, IJN flag on one side and the battle flag on the other, cherry blossom and banner near the front. Inscribed 'Imperial Japanese Navy.' |
| Lacquered wood 3-cup set. Gold gilt kite and rays. Inscribed 'Imperial Year 2600 [1940] Award Commemorative, Sakai City Education Association.' In this year celebrations were held across the country in an effort to bolster the patriotic war spirit. |
| A lacquered wood cup with a beautiful gilt samurai helmet. Inscribed 'War Victory, Fukano Unit'. |
| Extremely rare lacquered wood cup with skull and blossoms. I have never seen a death-figure on Japanese cups, so finding this was quite surprising. The two kanji in the bowl read 'Fallen Blossoms.' Japanese soldiers were often compared with the cherry blossom since both die at the height of their beauty (youth). Fallen petals on cups are a symbol of the fallen soldier. Inscribed on the reverse '55th [Graduating] Class, 8th Squadron [chuutai] 3rd Section [kutai]'. |
| Uncommon Japanese soldier dog tag cup. Very detailed: Rear Guard Infantry 33rd Regiment, 8th Squadron, Number 82. |