Note: Ochoko – Traditional Japanese Sake Cup

A small sake vessel called a “sake cup” appeared in the story.
It is used when drinking sake.
When enjoying it at home, it is sometimes poured directly from the bottle, but when enjoying it at a shop, it is most often paired with a sake vessel called a tokkuri, a small, narrow-necked flask used for serving sake.

The ways of drinking sake can be broadly divided into cold sake and hot sake.
In the case of cold sake, it is sometimes served in a glass to enjoy its aroma, but it is also sometimes served with this tokkuri and ochoko. In the case of hot sake, the standard is to serve it with a tokkuri and ochoko.

When it is served with a tokkuri and ochoko, there is also a custom of pouring for each other, and this is said to have continued since the mid-Edo period (early to late 18th century).
In society a generation ago, this custom was regarded as absolute, but recently such a trend has been fading.
Among my friends, we enjoy ourselves without regard to such manners.

An ochoko holds only a small amount per cup, and some people may think, “It’s troublesome to pour many times.”
In the case of hot sake, the amount is such that you can finish it before it cools, so it is very reasonable.

In the case of cold sake, it may indeed be troublesome, but if there are several people, you can enjoy various brands little by little.
However, with cold sake, you should be particularly careful about the drawback that the heat from your hand is easily transmitted.

Because this ochoko comes in a wide variety of materials and shapes, some people collect them.
Incidentally, one piece that I personally found impressive is an ochoko that, when placed upside down, looks like Mount Fuji.

When visiting places famous for pottery or glasswork, I think it can be enjoyable just to look at them in souvenir shops.
If you find one you like, please consider buying it.
In addition to drinking sake, you can also use it as interior decor or as a container for condiments.

Enjoy a wonderful dining experience.