Here is an elegant porcelain sake cup crafted between 1920 and 1940s in Japan.  It is a traditional style of dining pottery known as Kutani Ware - carrying the name of the region from which the rare clay for producing the finest porcelain is mined.

On a pedestal foot decorated in red and gold, the round bowl of the cup has a white interior with hand-painted Japanese characters.  My understanding is these are poem of four stanzas - wish I knew the translations.

The bowl exterior is a deep white and heavily decorated by hand in colors of red, yellow, green, purple, and blue with gold detailing. The decoration of seven people may represent "Immortal Poets" whose poems ring the interior.

The Kutani cup stands 2" tall.  The top diameter is 2", bottom foot diameter is 1 1/8", the cup's bowl circumference is 6 1/2".  It weighs 1.2 oz. and has a capacity of 1.5 ounces.

Condition is very good with no chips, cracks, scratches or discoloration.  There is one hard to find crazing mark on the interior.

The artist has signed the underside with one character in gold.

Thanks for looking.