Traditional Japanese cuisine “washoku” has been in the spotlight more than ever since it was designated an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Japanese sake, which is often described as a rice wine in English, is one of the most important ingredients for Japanese cuisine. A glass, a little sake cup or many other vessels are used to serve sake such as a traditional masu.
Originally, a “masu” was used to measure rice or other types of grain when the lord takes food tax during the feudal period. The beautiful wood grain pattern, aroma of wood and the beauty of its form drew more attentions at a later time, and people started using it as a drinking cup at celebrations. “Masu” is traditionally considered to remove the negative vibes and widely used in a variety of ceremonies. It is common to order “masu” at wedding with names of bride and groom or crests of both families branded on it. “Masu” is also commonly used as a gift at parties. Japanese cedar was originally used for “masu” making, but Japanese cypress is more used in recent years for its beautiful color and aroma. Japanese cypress is very familiar material in Japanese lifestyle.
Hold “Masu” in Right Hand, Four Fingers under Bottom, Thumb on Rim
Hold “masu” with four fingers of your right hand and put thumb on the rim. Do not grab it. Putting your bottom lip along a straight side of the rim and sip with a slurping noise is the correct way to drink it.
Sip from Straight Side of Rim
You might think drinking from a pointy corner of the rim would be easier. But this is wrong way. Sip from a straight side of the rim. By the way, Japanese samurais in old time would hold a “masu” in the left hand as they had to keep their right hand free all the time, in case they needed to draw a sword for a battle. But we hold it in the right hand in modern days.
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