Antique Japanese 1929 Named Cruiser Tama Gunnery Navy Sake Cup

Antique Japanese 1929 Named Cruiser Tama Gunnery Navy Sake Cup

Antique Japanese 1929 Named Cruiser Tama Gunnery Navy Sake Cup

An antique Japanese navy sake cup, decorated with a pair of shells crossed with an anchor in the back and a cherry blossom in front, with the word “Award” in the middle. The back of the cup has the words “Showa 4th year (1929) Warship Tama Gunnery Officers Competition”. This is probably for the annual gunnery exercises. Tama was a cruiser that was active during WW2 first in the North Pacific around Alaska, and then transferred to the south and was sunk during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. It’s very rare to find a cup with both a ship’s name and such details. Size, 3.75″ in diameter.