Japanese Sake Ceremony
The Japanese culture is filled with countless traditions and customs. Many of these are several centuries old, including the sake wedding ceremony, or the “san-san-kudo” ceremony. This tradition dates back to the early sixteenth century, a time when sharing sake created a bond as formal and strong as a handshake did in Victorian times. Because of the immense importance of creating such a bond, this tradition continues to be practiced all over Japan to this day.
The phrase “san-san-kudo” generally translates to “three, three, deliver nine”. This refers to the amount of cups used and sips taken during the ceremony. It starts with both the groom and bride taking three sips of sake from three different sake cups. It finishes with them offering the sake to their families; first the groom’s father, then his mother, then the bride’s father, then her mother. The ceremony is not only beautiful to witness, it is also highly symbolic, seeing as though it represents the creation of a new family bond and demonstrates respect for parents. It is clear why it has stuck around for so long, and will not be forgotten for quite a while.
By Julia Dankov
