Ochoko Sake Cup

These tiny sake cups made from porcellain might be mistaken for shot glasses by the uninitiated. But, these are absolutely not for taking slugs of sake. Their diminutive nature is by design, though, as it doesn’t leave much time for chilled sake to get warm and vice versa. Moreover, in Japan it’s customary for drinkers to fill and refill each other’s cups. So, small cups mean more filling and more social interaction.

This kind of cup, the Ochoko, are probably the most symbolic cups for sake; the universal depiction of sake is an ochoko and tokkuri carafe, after all. No matter what phone or computer you’re using, calling up the “sake” emoji will almost certainly give you this iconic pair. The prevalence of the ochoko and tokkuri set often leads to the mistaken impression that they’re the original sake vessels, but their introduction in the Edo period was actually relatively recent.

Product details:

• Size: 4,5cm x 4,5cm
• Material: Porcellain
• Origin: Japan