sake barrels

Cedar wooden barrels covered with stems of Zizania latifolia, called Kesho-gomo(ja:化粧菰).

Kesho-gomo, long ago, although seems only to have had meaning as a cushioning material for transportation, brands' name and various patterns were drawn or printed later. Today we can see a wide variety of designs there.

The barrel's lid is called Kagami(Ja:鏡) — the original meaning of this word is a mirror. We often enjoy seeing the performance named “Kagami biraki(Ja:鏡開き)” at a special banquet. It is a dynamic ceremony that hits and breaks the lid with a big mallet. After this, the sake will be offered to attendees.

As a matter of fact, we rarely see stacked barrels like this at a small local liquor shop. When you want to see the real thing in Japan, you should visit famous shrines or festivals.

chabudai table

It was only a few decades ago that we Japanese came to sit on a chair and eat at a dining room. Prior to that, we put a low table on the tatami(Ja:畳) mattress, sat down directly on the floor and had a meal. This table is called Chabudai(Ja:ちゃぶ台). When not in use it sometimes secured the room by folding the legs and leaning against the wall.

Long ago, a man who was angry at the dinner had turned over the Chabudai. His act was called “Chabudai gaeshi(Ja:ちゃぶ台返し)”, today we can still see it in comedy manga or anime. You may feel this table is too small but it is enough small to be knocked over.

Though I wrote like this, I have never used Chabudai. Perhaps most modern Japanese will be the same. Also for us, it is rare, nostalgic and fantastic item. If you find a nice food in Second Life, they add to the ambience with the Chabudai.