Japanese Red Lacquer Sake Cup! Cherry Blossom (Sakura) WW II Military Discharge

Description

Houghton USA
Ancient Art, Antiques, & Fine Collectibles
Japanese Cherry Blossom (
Sakura
) Sake Cup (
Sakazuki
)
Red Lacquer with Raised Gold Lacquer (
Makie
)
Signed WW II Commemorative Sake Cup
Discharge from Military Service
c. 1930--1945
This handmade, antique
Cherry Blossom Sakazuki
(sake cup) is made of hand lathe turned cryptomeria wood, with over 20 layers of red lacquer, as well as
hand-painted
makie
(raised gold lacquer) detailing on the inside of the
sakazuki
with a design of
cherry blossom
.
This
sakazuki
is a commemorative gift for celebrating the discharge from the military and dates to approximately to 1930—1945.
It has a three-character inscription in gold
makie
on the top, inner lip of the cup and a two-character signature at the bottom,
Nakae
.
This fine, antique
sakazuki
measures 3.4" across by 1.18" high (87 mm x 30 mm).  Having been in storage for over 75 years, it remains in
very fine condition
throughout, with only one minor 4mm loss of gold
makie
on the rim of the cup--see photos # 6-7.
It appears to have a light residue on the inside of the cup, perhaps from sake. :)
Symbolism in Japan
In Japan, cherry blossoms (in Japanese
Sakura
) symbolize clouds due to their nature of blooming
en masse
, besides being an enduring metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life, an aspect of Japanese cultural tradition that is often associated with Buddhist influence. Along with the chrysanthemum, the cherry blossom is considered the national flower of Japan.
The transience of the blossoms, the exquisite beauty and volatility, has often been associated with mortality and graceful and readily acceptance of destiny and karma; for this reason, cherry blossoms are richly symbolic, and have been utilized often in Japanese art, manga, anime, and film, as well as at musical performances for ambient effect.
Symbolism During World War II
During World War II, the cherry blossom was used to motivate the Japanese people, to stoke nationalism and militarism among the populace.   Even prior to the war, they were used in propaganda to inspire "Japanese Spirit," as in the "Song of Young Japan," exulting in "Warriors" who were "ready like the myriad cherry blossoms to scatter."
In 1932, Akiko Yosano's poetry urged Japanese soldiers to endure sufferings in China and compared the dead soldiers to cherry blossoms.
Arguments that the plans for the Battle of Leyte Gulf, involving all Japanese ships, would expose Japan to serious danger if they failed, were countered with the plea that the Navy be permitted to "bloom as flowers of death."
The last message of the forces on Peleliu was "
Sakura, Sakura
" — cherry blossoms.
Japanese pilots would paint them on the sides of their planes before embarking on a suicide mission, or even take branches of the trees with them on their missions.
A cherry blossom painted on the side of the bomber symbolized the intensity and ephemerality of life; in this way, the aesthetic association was altered such that falling cherry petals came to represent the sacrifice of youth in suicide missions to honor the emperor.
The first kamikaze unit had a subunit called
Yamazakura
or “wild cherry blossom.” The government even encouraged the people to believe that the souls of downed warriors were reincarnated in the blossoms.
{Courtesy of Wikipedia}
Cultural Note:
By the way, my Japanese friends tell me that the word "Sake" is actually pronounced "Sa-ke" (like the "ke" in the word "kettle) and not "Sa-key" like the English word "key."  And the word is pronounced with equal emphasis on both syllables, "Sa-ke."  So, I've been mispronouncing it for over 45 years!  Sorry...
Please look carefully at the 4x macro photos as they are part of the description.
The white spots on the red sake cup are from the lights I used to illuminate the cup so as to show the wonderful detail of this work of art.
What a great addition to your collection or as a present!
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