Main text reads 支那事變記念 "Commemoration of the China Incident." 支那事變 was the 1937 Japanese name for the Second Sino-Japanese war which officially started because of the 1937 Marco Polo Bridge Incident.

The text on the sides is the Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors issued by Emperor Meiji in 1882 忠節 — loyalty/fidelity 禮儀 — courtesy/propriety 武勇 — valor/bravery 信義 — faithfulness/honor 質素 — simplicity/frugality. Every soldier in the Imperial Japanese Army was required to memorize this.

Central imagery shows pink cherry blossoms behind a Japanese flag crossed with either a type 94 or 95 officers sword behind a type 90 helmet.

A Japanese soldier who participated in the invasion of China would have received this bottle in the late 1930s.