Original Items: Only One Lot of 6 Available. Formerly, sake was sold by volume in a wooden box measuring cup, known as a masu which has a volume of one gō (180 ml, 6.3 imp fl oz, 6.1 US fl oz) and was also used to drink. In the past, the wooden box was said to complement the traditionally brewed sake, as it is brewed in a wooden cask, but in modern times, the masu is shunned by sake purists because the wood affects the flavor of the sake. Furthermore, tradition requires the masu be filled to the rim as a sign of prosperity. Masu are now commonly made of lacquerware or even ABS plastic. As the traditional sake-serving cup and a symbol of prosperity due to sharing the same pronunciation as the Japanese word for increase/proliferate, the masu is still used in modern times for the purpose of ceremony or to show generosity. In some Japanese restaurants, the server may put a glass inside the masu (or put the masu inside a saucer) and pour until the sake overflows and spills into the secondary container to symbolize this wealth.

Nowadays, the sake is typically served in ceramic cups. The cups used for drinking sake are generally small cylindrical vessels called o-choko or choko, but may also include flatter shapes such as wide-mouthed bowls. Sakazuki are ceremonial cups used most commonly at weddings and other special occasions such as tea ceremonies, but larger versions of sakazuki also exist.

While not a traditional serving utensil, a shot glass is also used. In the United States, it is used as a substitute for ochoko, while in Japan it is used in conjunction with masu. Sake stemware is also used, which is essentially a glass sake cup elevated above a wide base. Sake stemware, as well as glass tokkuri, are now commonly used to serve chilled sake.

The Sake Cups In This Lot:

- 6th Infantry Division Discharge Cup Named To Wataru Hoshi: In November 1942, the 6th Division was reassigned to the 17th Army on Bougainville Island in the Solomon Islands. Although initially used for the Guadalcanal Campaign, it was ordered by Imperial General Headquarters in 1943 to transfer to the southern part of Bougainville Island. The division's 13th Infantry Regiment took part in the New Georgia campaign.

The division was defending Cape Torokina when US forces landed there, launching the Bougainville Campaign in November 1943. It was subsequently annihilated on Bougainville in 1945. In March 1944, the division took part in a large-scale counterattack aimed at capturing the Allied perimeter around Torokina. During this action, the division suffered heavy losses (the division's infantry group had 1,787 men remaining alive of 4,923 men initially) and ceased to exist as an organized unit. The parts of the division cornered in the Buin district of New Guinea suffered heavily from the loss of supplies and food. Losses mounted after the Australians started another offensive in November 1944. The surrender document was signed in September 1945 on the nearby Fauro Island.

- Imperial Japanese Navy: The cup features a rising sun flag crossed with an anchor and a cherry blossom on the left.

- Imperial Japanese Artillery: The cup features a field gun with cherry blossoms, star and helmet. The word “Remember” can be found as well. The base is really beautiful and features the shape of an aircraft.

- Imperial Japanese Army: This appears to be a commemorative cup. Unfortunately the writing is faded and there are chips on the lip.

- Imperial Japanese Navy Battleship: The cup appears for be a “fulfillment of service” discharge cup.

- China Incident: We believe this cup to be a commemorative China Incident cup, featuring a gold colored helmet, crossed flags and cherry blossoms.

All items come more than ready for translation, further research and display!