unique2

Rare, possibly unique, cup for a departing sol

er. The design is

uncommon: a dove with bow and

arrow. The document describes

that this cup was made by Ishihara Naokichi.

It was presented to the

principal of an elementary school in Nara

Prefecture, who was going off to war. It is dated Taisho 4

[1915] so

it is a WW1 cup. Hand-painted.

The cup itself is superbly made. The maker's mark (Unabi Yaki) is

in the base, and Unabi is in Nara. On

the reverse are three

mountain names: Mt. Miminashi, Mt. Unebi, and Mt. Kagu. These

three together

are known as 'Yamato Sanzan' or 'The Three

Mountains of Japan.' They became famous because in

ancient

days they surrounded (and consequently protected) the Fujiwara

castle in Nara

More interesting items

are cup inscribed

'KODO'

or Imperial Way

Faction. This faction was

within the

Army and was

formed in the 1930s. It

was

responsible for the

1935 Aizawa Incident and

the

very famous

February 26th [1936]

rising.

Fortified bunker

Large sake cup with a bird in the center. Judging by the
shape and the communication wires below, I think this is a
passenger pigeon. It is also tied to the post, so it is not just a
general symbol of martial valor (as the hawk is often used
as). However, the inscription does not hint at what bird it is.

If this is indeed a pigeon, it is very rare.

Inscribed 'Army Infantry, 14th Regiment Commemorative'.

Excellent sake cup and photo set. Although
there is no proof that the soldier in the photo
received these cups, they were together when
I got them and the dealer said they belonged
together. The cups are really nice, from the
Kutani kiln. The individual artist is named both
in the base and on the box lid: 'Made by
Fukuhara.' Inscribed in the bowl 'Shooting
Champion Commemorative.' No inscription on
the photo except for the studio name.

Rare Kutani kiln cup with a Chinese Nationalist
flag alongside a Japanese flag.
Inscribed 'China Incident Commemorative, Araki
Unit'. Some kind of insignia is in the base,
probably a unit insignia.