Katakuchi sake servers of the Japanese ceramic, tin product, and cut glass

Commonly, the Japanese people temporarily pour sake water in a bottle (tokkuri) or server (katakuchi) before they drink it with a cup (choko or guinomi). When they drink sake, they enjoy not only the taste of the water but also the feeling of the vessels.

A katakuchi has a long history in the country. It was excavated from the ruin of Heijokyo which was the capital of the Nara Period (710-794). Since then, the times and circumstances have made the katakuchis of the various materials. Earthenware, wood, porcelain, tin, and glass.

The katakuchi of the kanji is “片口”. It means “a mouth on one side”. Since the shape is like a tumbler, you can enjoy the smell of the sake generously. That is the difference from a tokkuri.

I would like to introduce you the bird-like drinkware from the famous and traditional crafts in Japan.

Traditional crafts katakuchi sake vessels

Imari ware/Arita ware (Saga Prefecture)

Imari-yaki/Arita-yaki is the oldest porcelain in Japan. Though the products seem fragile, it has an excellent strength of the material. It has a clear and strong colors.

With cups

Kutani ware (Ishikawa Prefecture)

Ishikawa Prefecture, the producing area of Kutani ware, flourished as a prosperous cultural region. The crafts of Ishikawa are rich in many colors including gold. But it never loses elegance.

With cups

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Kutani ware sake cups

Hagi ware (Yamaguchi Prefecture)

The texture of a Hagi ware is soft and plump. Most of the wares don’t have painting. They express the beauty with only the shapes and the colors and patterns of the clay and glaze.

With cups

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Hagi ware sake cups

Tin products of Nousaku (Toyama Prefecture)

Takaoka City in Toyama Prefecture where NOUSAKU CORPORATION locates has a more than 400 years old history. Nousaku inherits the traditional casting technique and creates the new and slick products.

Small

With cups

See more Nousaku tin sake cups?

Nousaku tin sake cups

Edo-kiriko cut glass (Tokyo Prefecture)

The fine patterns that the craftsmen make by hand show the beutiful glittering with sake. Edo-kiriko represents the minds of “iki” (粋, elegant and frank) perfectly.