SILVERWARE GUIDE / JUNKODO
Silver cups in Japan: names, uses and choosing a size
Learn the naming, uses and important considerations when choosing a Japanese silver sake cup.
What do the Japanese names mean?
A Japanese silver sake cup is often called a ginbai. In Japanese, both 銀盃 and 銀杯 are used for silver cups. The character 盃 evokes a traditional sake vessel, while 杯 is also used for commemorative and award cups. Neither spelling establishes a difference in purity or craftsmanship.
Junkodo generally uses 銀盃 to reflect the traditional name of the vessel.
A cup for meaningful occasions
Silver cups can be chosen for anniversaries, awards, retirement, celebrations or as drinking vessels. If the cup is a gift, consider the recipient’s preferences and how the cup will be held or displayed.
Requests for a family crest, logo or commemorative lettering are handled separately as custom engraving enquiries.
Compare size, weight and price
Japanese cups are commonly described in sun, a traditional length unit. Junkodo lists eight nominal sizes from 2 to 5.5 sun in half-sun increments. Nominal diameter figures are approximate and should not be treated as individually measured specifications.
Weight also depends on the cup’s design and thickness. Review the listed minimum guaranteed weight, tax-inclusive price, shipping cost and current dispatch estimate before ordering.
Choose from eight silver cup sizes
See sizes, minimum weights, tax-inclusive prices and current delivery conditions.
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