Unknown Item - Help Identify

[39inf]

I got this item from WWII USMC Corpsman's daughter yesterday along with a nice early type 99 rifle. Also a Japanese soldier's ID card and some other miscellaneous items. I have no idea what this item is and would very much appreciate someone's help identifying it.

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

It is an ink well used with a brush for calligraphy style writing.

[39inf]

Unknown Japanese Item

Thanks very much. I would have never guess it. Can anyone translate the writing for me?

[GeorgeP]

Middle kanji say: 10,000 year inkstone
surrounding kanji refer to a new patent.

Would it be possible to see pictures of the soldier's ID card?

Thanks!

Tom

[GHP]

Thanks very much. I would have never guess it. Can anyone translate the writing for me?

新案
特許
Patent on a new device (新案特許)

萬年硯
Man'nen Suzuri
10,000 Year Ink Stone

"man'nen" can also mean "eternal/forever" ... a fountain pen is called "man'nen hitsu" (万年筆) because the "brush writes forever" compared to the brush pen.

第155437號
No 155437

--Guy

[39inf]

Japanese Ink Well

Thanks very much guys, I really appreciate the input and yes Tom, I post pictures of the ID card today.