[Nousaku’s Take Shuki Set]

The year is almost over. Winter is the season of Christmas, New Year's holidays, and celebrations where people gather. Sake may be served on tables lined with sushi and other Japanese foods. While large sake bottles or small bottles that can be easily enjoyed can be left on the table, sake that has been chilled to a delicious temperature and prepared in small portions before pouring into a katakuchi or chirori container will not only taste great, but will also look more Japanese.

Even more appropriate for such festive occasions are sake vessels designed with auspicious motifs, such as the Nousaku's Take Shuki Set, a set of sake vessels in the shape of bamboo. Bamboo is a symbol of “vitality” and “growth” because it grows straight without bending even in strong winds and is always green.

Why did bamboo become a lucky charm in Japan in the first place? It has its roots in one of the themes of literati paintings called “歳寒三友 (Saikan no Sanyu),” which originated in China during the Song dynasty (960-1279). The “三友 (three friends)” of “松 (pine),” “竹 (bamboo),” and “梅 (plum)” were depicted as the subject of ink paintings. Pine and bamboo do not fade even in the cold, and plum blossoms in the cold, so they expressed the literati ideal of “purity, innocence, and integrity.” This theme was introduced to Japan during the Heian period and became popular among the general public during the Edo period. As time went by in Japan, the three age-old themes of “歳寒三友 (Saikan no Sanyu)” changed to “松竹梅 (shochikubai)” as lucky charms, among which bamboo is still displayed today as Kadomatsu, a New Year's lucky charm to wish for a bountiful harvest.

Nousaku's Take Shuki Set is made of tin and has a hammered finish by Kenji Mizumaki, a finishing craftsman in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture. The hammered finish is applied to each piece by hand with a hammer, allowing you to enjoy the unique and beautiful reflections of light. This set of sake cups will make your party truly enjoyable and beautifully decorate your party. Why not share sake with those closest to you with this auspicious Take Shuki Set?

Nousaku’s Take Shuki Set
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nousaku/shuki.html

References
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%AD%B3%E5%AF%92%E4%B8%89%E5%8F%8B
https://www.woody-ashida.com/pine-bamboo-plum/