2298 - Commemorative sake cup from a service aboard the aircraft carrier Wakamiya. Red-lacquered wooden sake cup. Beautifully decorated with a propeller, a ship’s anchor, and laurel leaves. Kanji markings around the rim of the bowl read “Aircraft Carrier Wakamiya Maru, Taisho 3, 1914,” commemorating wartime service. Diameter: 13 cm. Height: 5 cm. Built in 1900 as the British freighter *Lethington*, it was captured by Japan during the Russo-Japanese War and renamed *Wakamiya Maru*. With the outbreak of World War I, it was converted in Yokosuka to carry French Maurice Farman seaplanes, which were handled by cranes. During the siege of Tsingtao against the Germans, its aircraft carried out the first naval air raids in military history, validating the concept of carrier-based aviation. Renamed Wakamiya, it was fitted with a wooden platform in 1920 to test the first takeoffs of wheeled aircraft. These tests led to the design of the Hōshō in 1922, the world’s first true newly built aircraft carrier. Having become obsolete, the ship was decommissioned in 1931 and scrapped in 1932. Note slight wear and patina on the piece. Condition I-. Commemorative sake cup for service aboard the aircraft carrier Wakamiya. Red-lacquered wooden sake cup. Beautiful decoration featuring a propeller, a naval anchor, and laurel leaves. Kanji markings around the bowl indicate the aircraft carrier Wakamiya Maru, Taisho 3 (1914), commemorating wartime service. Diameter 13 cm. Height 5 cm. Built in 1900 as the British cargo ship Lethington, it was captured by Japan during the Russo-Japanese War and renamed Wakamiya Maru. At the outbreak of World War I, it was converted at Yokosuka to carry French Maurice Farman seaplanes, which were handled by cranes. During the siege of Tsingtao against German forces, its aircraft carried out the first naval air raids in military history, demonstrating the concept of carrier-based aviation. Renamed Wakamiya, it was fitted with a wooden platform in 1920 to test the first takeoffs by wheeled aircraft. These trials helped lead to the design of the Hōshō in 1922, the world’s first purpose-built aircraft carrier. By then obsolete, the ship was withdrawn from service in 1931 and dismantled in 1932. Slight wear and patina should be noted. Condition I minus.