sakazuki

Sakazuki is a ceremonial sake cup used in Japan. The word refers both to the cup itself and to the act of exchanging sake in formal rituals. In traditional usage, sakazuki are shallow, wide vessels made from wood, ceramic, lacquer, or metal, designed to be held with two hands and passed between participants during ceremonies.

In Shinto rites and in wedding ceremonies, sakazuki play a symbolic role as a conduit of goodwill and kinship. They are often employed in the ritual of san-san-kudo, where the bride and groom take turns drinking sake from one or more cups as a pledge of alliance between families. The cups may be plain or decorated with family crests, inscriptions, or auspicious motifs.

In modern Japan, sakazuki are mostly associated with ceremonial occasions and formal hospitality. For everyday sake drinking, smaller clay or ceramic choko or ochoko are typically used instead. The sakazuki remains a potent symbol of ritual bonding and is sometimes kept as a memento or ceremonial gift.