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Japanese Rice Wine - Sake
  Sake has long been an important part of Japanese culture. In the past,
sake was considered a very special item, reserved for only the most important
occasions, such as weddings, birth celebrations and other auspicious events.
Sake was considered a sacred drink, and accordingly the first glass poured was
always offered to the gods before the remainder could be shared among the
celebrants. Sake can be served either warm or cold
and special sake flasks
are used to both prepare and dispense this unique Japanese drink. Sake is
warmed either by immersing the flask (already filled with sake of course) into warm
water until the desired temperature is reached or through the use of a special
sake kettle called a choshi. The latter method however, though
common in old Japan, is today usually
reserved for ceremonial events only.
Over time,
sake utensils, such as cups
have developed their own
ritual significance which is still evident in modern Japan. For example,
it is today common at Japanese engagement parties for the man and woman to
exchange sake cups as a sign of their mutual intent to marry. Very
beautiful sake cups
are also given away to celebrate the birth of a child, as these cherished items
are considered symbolic of the significance of the
new parent-child relationship. Though normally small in size, sake cups
and flasks have long
been used in Japan as a medium for the expression of art and calligraphy.
Hand-painted cups and flasks are highly collectable both within and outside Japan and
are eagerly sought after by collectors who value their utilitarian nature and
artistic splendor.
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Click
here
to learn about Japanese drinking culture. |
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Click
here
to see sake flasks, cups and other items available for purchase
from our eBay store
The Old Tokaido |
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