The Difference Between Guinomi, Choko, and Sakazuki: A Guide to Choosing Sake Cups

Photographer Wada (living alone)
Photographer Wada (lives alone)
Hello. This is UTSUWABI editorial staff.
This time, I will explain the difference between gugumi, choko, and sakazuki!


Guinomi choko, and sakazuki all look the same at first glance, but did you know that there are differences?

In this article, we will explain the differences between them in an easy-to-understand manner.
How about making your meal time even more fulfilling by using different types of sake cups, choko, and sakazuki?

I want to see what products are available first! If so, please take a look here.

Sake vessels list page

About guinomi, choko, and sakazuki

Before we discuss the differences between guinomi, choko cups, and sake cups(sakazuki), we will explain what kind of vessels they are and their characteristics.

What is Guinomi?

Guinomi is a sake cup with a deep bottom and a wide diameter.
It is said that its origin comes from the words "gulp" and "grasp and drink."

Generally, most of the drinks are large enough to not be able to be swallowed in one or two bites, so they are suitable for dividing into several bites.
Recommended if you want to enjoy the taste of alcohol that changes depending on the temperature.

What is choko?

It is smaller than a guinomi and is large enough to drink the entire drink in one or two sips.It is often used together with a sake carafe.

It is said that its origin is a corruption of the word "choku".
It is said that the origin of the word is ``choku,'' which means something small, and ``choku,'' which refers to something simple and simple.

What is sakazuki?

It is a shallow sake cup shaped like a small plate, and is characterized by a small elevated platform.
Generally, the capacity is between the size of a small choko and a small cup.

Although it is used on a daily basis, it is also used in rituals such as Sansankudo at weddings and when drinking toso at New Year's Day.

Detailed explanation of the differences between guinomi, choko, and skazuki!

After reading this far, some of you may have noticed the difference between guinomi, choko, and sakazuki(sake cup). 
The difference is size (capacity) and shape.

The taste of sake changes depending on the size and shape.
In other words, each has slightly different uses.

Know the differences in size and shape and use them properly

There is no specific rule regarding the size of sake vessels, such as how many centimeters they are.
Therefore, it is difficult to make a general statement, but if you arrange them in descending order, they become ``guinomi, sakazuki, and choko.'' 
There are also differences in shape, especially the sake cups.

Below, we will tell you about the types of sake and how to drink them according to each size and shape!

Guinomi

The sake cup is large, so you can drink a lot of alcohol in one sip.
For this reason, it is often used for special occasions such as celebrations and banquets.
Also, unlike choko, a sake bottle is not used.

Suitable alcoholic beverages include jukushu, which is typified by old sake that has been aged for a long period of time, and junshu, which is typified by pure rice sake.
If you choose one with a closed mouth, you can enjoy the scent more.

Choko mouth

Choko is a sake cup whose purpose is to enjoy sake one sip at a time.
For this reason, it has a shape that fits comfortably in your hand and is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.
The sake cup used for tasting sake with a snake's eye pattern on the bottom is also a choko.

The suitable alcohol is soshu, which has a dry and light taste.
If sake becomes lukewarm, it loses its flavor.
For this reason, we recommend a choko, which allows you to finish the drink before the temperature changes.

Sakazuki

Sakazuki has the image of being used in formal occasions such as weddings.
However, it is generally used when interacting with close people on a daily basis.

The angular shape allows the alcohol to flow quickly into the mouth, hitting the back of the tongue where you feel sour and bitter tastes, making it more likely to taste dry.

Suitable alcoholic beverages include kunshu, such as sake and daiginjo.
It's best to choose one with a bright aroma because it has a wide mouth.

In the end, how should I use them properly?

Sake vessels differ not only in size and shape, but also in materials and designs.
Therefore, it is best to choose what you like.

However, if you are really confused, please use the following points as a guide.

○If you want to drink cold sake or ginjo sake ⇒Choko
If you want to enjoy cold sake or enjoy the rich aroma, a small choko is suitable.

If you want to enjoy the change in taste due to temperature, such as hot sake, ⇒ Guinomi
If you want to enjoy the difference in taste due to temperature, we recommend a large size Guinomi!
Also, if you often drink alcohol with multiple people, it would be a good idea to have several sake cups.

If you value enjoying the aroma, then go for a sakazuki
A sake cup with a wide mouth is ideal for enjoying the aroma as it increases the surface area of the sakel. 
It is convenient because it can be used in a wide range of situations, from formal occasions such as celebrations to casual gatherings with close friends.

Introducing recommended sake vessels

■Guinomi

Guinomi, Kouhikitetsusan pottery, Shigaraki ware

A simple shaped sake cup.
The beige surface is accented with brown edges.
It goes well with other utensils and is easy to use on a daily basis.

Due to its depth, it is perfect for enjoying the difference in taste of alcohol due to temperature changes, such as when hot sake is heated.
You can use it in a variety of ways by taking advantage of its depth, such as tea utensils, small bowls, and single flower vases.

Inside Kohiki  Shot Cup Ceramic Hakka Kiln Yoshinaga Saddam

A sake cup with a stylish appearance.
The contrast between the black surface and the silver inside gives it a modern feel.

The vertical lines created using the shinogi technique are not only beautiful as a design, but they also fit comfortably in your hand and are extremely easy to hold!

Recommended for those who want to enjoy their favorite alcohol little by little with their meal.

Moon Rainbow Cup Glass Mio Kosaka

Colorful glass sake cups.
If you look closely, you can see that there are air bubbles inside, and you can enjoy various expressions depending on how the light hits it.
Sake vessels that you can enjoy visually will make your usual evening drinks even more gorgeous.

Glass is a material that has a pleasant texture and allows you to experience the taste of alcohol directly.
It's practical and has a good design, so it's the perfect gift for alcohol lovers!
It is also a good idea to give a gift by combining products of different colors.



■Sakazuki

Kyo sakazuki purple cloisonne porcelain Hasami ware

This cup has a clean and simple design.

The auspicious cloisonne pattern looks like a geometric pattern and is modern.
It goes well with Western tableware and fits well with your daily dining table.

Because the mouth is wide, it is suitable for enjoying the fluffy aroma of alcohol.
Because it is white porcelain, it is easy to see the color of the alcohol, and you can enjoy the taste, color, and aroma at the same time.
If you add small snacks, you can also use it for entertaining.

Flat small cup, Sabioribe Tokusa pottery, Seto ware

Oribe's sake cups are attractive for their handmade taste.
The vertical striped pattern has a unique design with green glaze flowing through it.

Because it is shallow and has a wide mouth, you can enjoy rich alcoholic beverages in small portions while enjoying the aroma.

It is good to match it with the same Oribe tableware, but dyed and red glaze also go well together.You can enjoy a variety of table coordinations.

Nebuta cup glass Tsugaru Vidro

A gorgeous cup with the motif of Aomori's Nebuta lights.
Colorful glass is scattered like beads, making the dining table much brighter.

The transparency of the glass makes it easy to see the color of the alcohol.
It is thick and has a nice texture, making it ideal as a sake cup.
Good when you want to taste fruit wine little by little.

As the arrangement of colored glass is different, no two pieces are the same.
You'll want to get one each with different patterns.



■Choko 

Choko ancient arabesque porcelain Hasami ware

A choko with a clear blue arabesque pattern on the white.
The plump and rounded center allows you to enjoy the concentrated scent of alcohol.

Dyeed vessels are easy to match with not only Japanese tableware but also Western tableware and are easy to use on a daily basis.
Also, the arabesque pattern that lasts forever is a lucky pattern.
It can also be used on special occasions such as New Year's Day.

When used with the matching sake bottle, it creates an elegant table coordination.
If given as a set, it would be a great gift for sake lovers.

Choko rice-brown Porcelain Mino Ware

A simple shaped choko in pale beige.
This is an easy-to-use pottery that gives you a warm feeling that is unique to ceramics.

Easy to lift, rough surface texture.
The slightly thick edges are ideal for enjoying sake with a pleasant texture.

The inside is also a light color, so you can feel the color of the alcohol.
It is useful to have one as it goes well with various types of alcohol.

We also recommend using it as a small bowl for small snacks such as pickles or ohitashi, or as a dessert cup.

Let's enjoy sake even more by using different types of sake cups!

In this article, we explained the differences between ``guinomi'', ``sakazuki'', and ``choko', which you may not be aware of. 
If you have been choosing a sake cup based on its beauty or other factors, why not refer to this article and choose the sake cup of your choice.

Also, if you want to taste and compare sake, it would be a good idea to have guinomi, choko, and sakazuk , and enjoy the change in taste depending on the size and shape of the sake cup. 
Be particular about choosing sake vessels and enjoy your evening drinks even more!

You can view the choko we introduced this time from this page.

Sake vessels list page

If you want to know more about sake vessels, please read this article.

Introducing how to choose sake bottles and choko cups, their history, and even recommended items

Introducing how to choose a sake bottle, manners, and recommended items to enjoy Japanese sake even more.

Introducing how to choose a choko to enjoy alcohol even more and recommended items.

Thank you for reading until the end.
I hope you all have a wonderful time with your favorite utensils.

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