Sake cup with maki-e design of Takasago

‘Takasago’ is a program of Noh theater and also famous as a celebratory chant. The story is as follows: a priest of Aso Shrine in Kyushu stopped at a scenic beach, Takasago, in Harima Province, on his way to Kyoto. He saw an old couple who were sweeping up the needles under a pine tree at the beach. They told him a tale associated with the pine tree: This Takasago Pine shares the root with the Suminoe Pine which grows in the distant Sumiyoshi located in Settsu Province; Together, they are called ‘Paired Pines’ and are believed to remain together for eternity.
At this point, the old couple revealed that they were the spirits of the Takasago and Suminoe Pines.
On this cup, the old couple peep out from the pine tree which might depict the scene of meeting with the priest.