“Mokkiri” etiquette for non-Japanese and Japanese

photo by Christian Kaden

At a bar or tavern in Japan, Japanese sake is served in a “tokkuri”, a glass, a “masu” or many other vessels. But the most unusual style to serve a sake would be “mokkiri”. Sake is poured into a glass sitting in a wooden box “masu” until it overspill from the rim of the glass. But wait a second, how do you drink this? From the glass, or the “masu”? “Mokkiri” is a common way to enjoy sake but only few people knows proper manners to drink it. Let’s explore “mokkiri” etiquette.

What is “mokkiri”?

As mentioned earlier, “mokkiri” is an overpoured sake in a glass which is sitting in a “masu”. Originally, it was called “morikiri”. In past times, liquor shop keepers were selling sake by measuring: they filled the masu with sake to the rim (morikiri). This is the origin of “mokkiri”. Tavern owners used to serve sake by volume of 180ml (1gou), however, sometimes little cups were not big enough to hold 180ml. Therefore they started putting a small saucer or “masu” under the glass to catch overspilled sake. In later times, it became a measure to know how generous tavern keepers would be. What underlies “mokkiri” is a welcoming spirit of the Japanese. “Morikiri” is the way those shop keepers express their favor for the guests and let them enjoy something worth more than the set price.

How to enjoy “mokkiri”

Once “mokkiri” is served on your table, you might start wondering how you should drink it, or even get a little scared of spilling it by touching your fingers. Don’t warry, there are no strict rules you must follow as “mokkiri” is a product of tipplers’ culture. You can enjoy it however suits you. But if you wish to be a smart “mokiri” drinker, there are some tips to remember.

Tilt a glass and spill small amount of sake in “masu”

You are likely tempted to have a sip from the almost overspilling glass, but this is not cool. Lift the glass in “masu” and spill small amount of sake into “masu” so that you can make some room in the glass.

Drink sake in the glass first

Normally, sake in a glass is to be finished first. No need to drink up at once. Enjoy the aroma of sake and drink it slowly.

Take the glass out of “masu”

You can dry outside of the glass with a cloth if the wet glass bothers you.

Pour sake from “masu” into the glass

Once you finish the sake glass or almost finish it, pour sake from “masu” and drink it from the glass little by little. You can order top up of sake in the same “masu”.

Also, you can drink sake from “masu”

Drinking straight from “masu” is nothing against rules, of course. This way, you can enjoy the smell of Japanese cypress from “masu”.

At the end of this column

“Mokkiri” is a quite unusual manner within Japanese food and drink culture. There is no wonder if you sometimes feel like have sake in “tokkuri” or wine glass. In that case, ask shop staff when you order. Shop keepers will be happy to serve you sake in your way so that you can enjoy sake more.