Basic Knowledge of Guinomi（Japanese sake cup）

What is Guinomi ?

First of all, a "Guinomi", like a "Ochoko", is a type of vessel for holding sake. The characteristic feature of a Guinomi is its size. The size of a Guinomi is slightly smaller than a rice bowl, making it a larger vessel for holding sake. Therefore, sake is often poured directly from the bottle into a Guinomi.

The name Guinomi is also characteristic. It is said that the name Guinomi came about because it is a vessel for "gulping" sake, but there are various theories about this, so it is difficult to say exactly what it means. Although different types of drinking vessels are used for different events, Guinomi is one of the most common drinking vessels used on a daily basis and is often used by people who like to drink sake.

History of Guinomi

Guginomi has a long history, dating back to the late Azuchi-Momoyama period in Japan. Guginomi once used as "Mukozuke", a container for serving side dish to have have with a drink in "Kaiseki" cuisine. It is believed that the origin of Guinomi dates back to the time when people drank sake from the empty cups after enjoying the food served in them.

Difference between Guinomi and Ochoko

Ochoko" is probably the most well-known Sake drinking vessel. It is often found in every household, and is probably familiar to you. The main difference between an Ochoko and a Guginomi is the size of the vessel. Ochoko is a small sake cup that can hold only one or two sips of sake, while the Guginomi can hold a large amount of sake. However, there is no particular size rule.

Enjoy the change in the taste of sake

One of the first attractions of Guinomi is that it changes the taste of the sake itself. For example, the shape of the mouthpiece. A sake cup with the mouth opening on the outside will have a milder flavor with a more pronounced aroma, while a sake cup with the mouth opening on the inside will have a lighter, more refreshing taste.

Also, the material used to make the Guinomi also affects the flavor of the sake, so it is a good idea to change the type of Guinomi according to the type（material） of sake you are drinking. For example, glass Guinomi is said to bring out the sharp flavors of sake more because of the thinness of the mouth.

Enjoy the design of the vessels along with the sake

The design of the sake cup is also a very important factor in enjoying sake. Although Guinomi have a strong image of austere designs, there are actually a wide variety of stylish designs. Drinking sake with a sake cup designed to your liking will enrich your time with sake.

Adjust the amount of sake

Guinomi is smaller than a rice bowl and is just the right size for drinking sake at your own pace. You can sip the appropriate amount of sake depending on your mood, such as when you want a big sip or when you want a little bit at a time.

Drinking at a pace that feels good to you is also a key to enjoying alcoholic beverages. For this reason, Guimoni that can be firmly adjusted so that the pace of drinking is not disturbed will be highly appreciated as a drinking vessel.