Japanese term (also choko) for the small cups from which sake is drunk in all temperature ranges (cold to warm). They are made from earthenware, ceramic, porcelain or wood in a wide variety of shapes and designs. The handmade ochoko are of great artistic value.

These drinking vessels ideally support the Japanese culture of o-shaku. People pour each other a drink as soon as the cup is empty. Because an ochoko empties relatively quickly due to its small volume, o-shaku can be enjoyed to the full. Sake is also drunk from the traditional masu (wooden cube) or sakazuki (drinking bowl) (the boundaries between ochoko and sakazuki are blurred, however, and are also used interchangeably). Various vessels such as chirori, katakuchi or tokkuri are used for serving or pouring. The sake is heated or cooled beforehand in these pouring vessels if necessary. See also under sake and wine vessels.
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Andreas Essl
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