Sake to celebrate with
Celebratory sake is more about the image than the taste
Nihonshu as the locals call it permeates all aspects of society, but nowhere is its presence more noticeable than in traditional celebrations or religious dedications.
Marriage, birth, death and even the passing of one year into another, all see sake brought to the fore.
Opening a new business? Special bottles exist to be presented on such occasions; oftentimes containing small specks of gold leaf floating in the liquid when the bottle is tilted. Thankfully, as an inert material, the consumption of such miniscule amounts has no effect whatsoever on the health of those drinking the sake.
Shrines at New Year often see large numbers of wooden barrel like objects decorated with the name of the individual making such an offering to the gods lined up along he main approach road; Meiji Shrine in the heart of Tokyo a prime example although of late they have also started to display barrels of French wine as well as the more usual domestic alcohol.
Announcements of political, economic or even sporting related importance on TV often see those involved donning ‘happi’ coats, wooden mallet in hand and large wooden cask with (previously weakened) lid awaiting its destruction – the accessing of the sake inside synonymous with the beginning of the venture in question.
So, with one eye on the cause to celebrate and another on the glass in the hand, sup up and enjoy – and no, you cannot filter out that gold.
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