Sake Cups
Explore a refined selection of sake cups crafted by Japan's skilled artisans. From traditional ochoko to modern designs, each piece reflects the artistry and heritage of Japanese craftsmanship. Perfect for both quiet moments and celebratory toasts, these cups bring elegance to your sake experience.
Type of sake cups
Originally, the guinomi was used to serve delicacies during kaiseki meals before Japanese tea ceremonies. After enjoying these dishes, people began to pour sake into the empty guinomi and drink from it, which is believed to be its origin.
Typically larger than an ochoko, guinomi sake cups provide a more substantial vessel for enjoying sake. Sake can be poured directly from the bottle into a guinomi, rather than using a carafe.
An ochoko is a small sake cup, usually holding a bit more than a sakazuki and accommodating two to three sips. Originally, ochoko sake cups were used as smallkobachibowls.
However, around the mid-Edo period (1603 CE–1868 CE), they began to be used at sake gatherings, where people would start with a sakazuki and then switch to an ochoko as the evening went on.
Ochoko sake cups come in various materials and shapes. Sake cups included in sake sets are commonly ochoko sake cups.
Sakazuki refers to the flat, plate-like sake cups, although it can also sometimes mean sake cups in general. The sakazuki is the oldest style of sake cups and typically holds just a few sips.
Often beautifully decorated, sakazuki sake cups have become a favorite among collectors with their distinct forms. For special occasions or when hosting guests, serving sake in these sake cups can make the moment truly memorable.
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More about Sake cups
Sake cups come in a variety of sizes and shapes. A delightful way to enjoy them is to collect the ones of your favorite design. Here is a brief introduction to the characteristics of the different main shapes.
Trumpet Shape
The trumpet-shaped cup looks like an inverted triangle. With a widely open lip of the cup, you can instantly savor the aroma of the sake. The aroma can be enjoyed in the mouth for a long time, so sake with a lighter taste and higher aroma will be best enjoyed in this cup.
Bowl Shape
The bowl-shaped cup has a wide diameter like a trumpet shaped cup, so the sake spreads in your mouth. This cup is suitable to enjoy a richer flavor and a more subdued aroma. Unlike the trumpet type, it takes less time to reach the throat, so you can relish the taste more than the aroma.
Bud Shape
The bud-shaped cup has a small diameter and it is not easy to drink sake in one gulp. So it is perfect for drinking and enjoying the flavors little by little. You can also enjoy the aroma at the same time, as you are covering the cup with your nose when you drink it. This type of cup is suitable for sake with a strong taste and aroma.
Straight Shape
The straight-shaped sake cup minimizes the aroma, allowing you to focus on the pure flavor of the sake. Its design directs the liquid straight into the mouth, enhancing the experience of complex flavors. The narrow mouth and tall height make it easier to enjoy sake with strong aromas, while also allowing better control for sipping.
Stoneware
Stoneware is made by shaping and firing clay at high temperatures. They are thicker than other materials and provide a soft mouthfeel. Ceramic cups retain heat well, making them ideal for warm sake. The variety of glazes used creates a range of unique appearances.
Porcelain
Porcelain is made from finely crushed stones and fired at a higher temperature than stoneware. It has a thinner, smoother texture and often brings out sharper flavors. Its thickness is between glass and stoneware, making it versatile for both warm and cold sake. Porcelain cups are often decorated, adding to their visual appeal.
Lacquerware
Known for its use in ceremonial settings, lacquered sake cups provide excellent insulation, keeping warm sake hot and cold sake cool.
Wood
Wooden sake cups offer a traditional experience. Originally made from cedar or cypress, they infuse the sake with a natural wood scent. While this enhances the flavor for some, it may not appeal to those who prefer the pure aroma of sake.
Glass
Glass is unique for its transparency, allowing you to appreciate the color and texture of sake. It doesn’t interfere with the sake’s natural aroma and is perfect for delicate flavors. Thin glass cups are ideal for cold sake but should not be used for warm sake unless heat-resistant.
Tin
Tin is a soft, rust-resistant metal that enhances the smoothness of sake by reducing bitterness. It heats quickly without losing aroma and cools fast when used for cold sake due to its high heat conductivity.
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