Sake in the Old Days  Hiroshi Kawabata  6/2003

As culture develops; transportation from place to place improves. Then country towns start turning into cities. As time goes by, entertainment districts spring up, and bars and restaurants get crowded with businessmen seeking some relaxation after work.

In Japan, unlike today’s disorderly drinking businessmen, people in the past only drank Sake on special occasions and with in party situations. People drank Sake on “the grandest days,” such as for weddings and other celebrations. The Sake drank on such occasions was made in a special way, and it was considered a sacred drink that one served to God. It was only after first serving God that the Sake was passed down and served to the guests. By sharing the sacred Sake, each person absorbed divine power, and together they bonded in a common happiness at the celebration. In this way, Sake and “grandest days” developed a tight connection, the roots of which go very deep. The customs surrounding sake have passed on to today, even during this time when you don’t need a special reason for drinking sake. For example, at a wedding party, instead of cutting a cake, Japanese still like to open up a new Sake barrel, drink a toast, and share it with everybody at the party. Also, when a shop has a grand opening, or on the first day of a big event, people break open a new Sake barrel to wish well on the happening.

Exchanging Sake cups often takes place when making a promise or commitment. Japan has ceremony called “Yuinou,” which is for an oath to get engaged to someone. At the Yuinou ceremony, the fiancés exchange Sake cups to firm up the promise.