Antique Imperial Japanese Navy Battleship Kashima 1921 Hirohito Sake Cups For Sale

DescriptionThis is a rare set of three commemorative metal sake cups connected to the 1921 European tour of Crown Prince Hirohito, the future Emperor Showa, and the Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Kashima.In 1921, Crown Prince Hirohito made his historic journey to Europe, becoming the first Japanese Crown Prince to undertake such an extensive overseas tour. The voyage brought the young future emperor into direct contact with European royal families, governments, and society, making it an important episode in both Japanese imperial history and early 20th-century diplomacy.During this journey, the battleship Katori served as the principal vessel, while Kashima accompanied the voyage as an escorting warship.These three cups appear to have been made as commemorative pieces connected with that historic mission.All three cups share the same design. The interior decoration features a large bird with outstretched wings above a globe or map-like motif, an image strongly suggestive of overseas travel and long-distance naval navigation.One of the three cups is especially important because its rim is engraved with:“Taisho 10” — 1921
“His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince”
“Commemorating the Escort Ship for the European Tour”It is also inscribed:“Warship Kashima – Komagome Isamu”This personal name gives the set much greater historical character. Rather than being only a generic imperial commemorative item, it preserves the name of an individual directly associated with the ship and the voyage.All three cups also have markings on the underside. The inscriptions are difficult to read in full, but parts appear to include:“Satsuma”
“Tin”This suggests that the cups may have been made of tin, or a tin-based alloy, and possibly produced in connection with the Satsuma region of southern Japan. Because the markings are partially unclear, the exact maker and place of production cannot be confirmed.What makes this set especially appealing is the combination of several historical elements in a single surviving object:the 1921 European tour of Crown Prince Hirohito,
the Imperial Japanese Navy,
the battleship Kashima,
a named individual,
and a complete three-cup commemorative set.Items connected to a specific ship, a specific historical event, and an identifiable person are considerably more interesting than ordinary military souvenir cups.Age-related toning, discoloration, scratches, and surface wear are present. Please examine the photographs carefully for the exact condition and inscriptions.A fascinating survivor from the voyage of the man who would later become Emperor Showa.Own a Piece of History.Shipping

FedEx or Japan Post

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