Japan Sake Cup translation help please Post 2/5

[Brian Wolfe]

Hello everyone,

Another item from the lot I purchased on the weekend is the 3 ½ inch sake cup which I need assitance in translating. From the star I am assuming this was an army sake cup.

This is the writing on the insde of the cup. I have read that the writitng on the inside is usually the recipient's name while those found on the bottom is the maker's name.

Around the rim is what appears to be two messages separated by stars. I have tried to show each message two kanji at a time.

Here is the first message.

The second message is next.

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Thank you very much for your help.

Regards

Brian

[Brian Wolfe]

It looks like I made an error in posting those last three images so I will try again here.

Regards

Brian

[fukuoka]

It reads 'Ministry of the Army, Gift for Military Merit.' So this one is 1940s or earlier.

[Brian Wolfe]

Thanks Rich.

I usually only purchase Japanese items from knowledgable sources but the price, even for the tray and this cup (which was what I was interested in), was so good I couldn't pass it up.

Tanks again,

Brian