Very Rare Antique Japanese Military 1938 Battle of Lake Khasan Commemorative Incense Burner
This is a very rare antique Japanese military commemorative incense burner. It's made of bronze on the bottom with a cover of some other kind of metal - with the word "loyalty" made by the shape of the openings on the lid. There's also a carved wooden base. The words on the side of the burner itself are "Enshrined" "Changkufeng Incident (Battle of Lake Khasan) Commemoration Association". The bottom of the incense burner has the words "Northern Hamgyong Do" "Southern Hamgyong Do" and "Gangwon Do" - three provinces in Korea. The Battle of Lake Khasan was a brief but sharp military conflict between Imperial Japan and the Soviet Union along the border at the NE corner of the Korean Peninsula. It happened due to a border dispute and was eventually resolved diplomatically after hostilities were suspended after 10 days of conflict. This item must have been issued before WW2, as Hamgyong provinces became part of North Korea and it would be extremely unlikely for them to have had any of this sort of thing issued. Condition: The item is well used but in great condition with no damage. There's a healthy patina on the surface of the metals. Size: Total height about 3.75", and 4" in diameter.