I went to a close by Western Bar in Aiea with my companion from High School and sharing a couple “Shots” of liquor where you pour a few combination of solid and sweet into a little “shot glass” and down it together in one fell swallow.
Those were tomfoolery and insane times and the little buzz from that liquor made the line moving, singing and general giggling more boisterous, stimulating and wild. There was a feeling of delivery, relaxing and getting into the nervous, cheerful fun of the evening. My age and my better sense wont let me do shots now, yet for what it was, that was an encounter and there was a bond attached with my companion, that I will love perpetually, made on those audacious evenings.
Not at all like the shots we delighted in, Japanese o-choko use in sharing a container of purpose is something else entirely. Slow, cautious macallan 威士忌 and intelligent, the little cups are tasted over a drawn out snapshot of calm or conversation. The purpose dividing among two individuals constructs a profound security in Japan and affirms a feeling of being in total agreement and a nice sentiment of correspondence and holding called “Kizuna”.
You might have seen Prime Minister Abe pouring a touch of O-purpose into President Obama’s cup at Sushi Jiro during the US President’s true visit to Japan. There were not kidding points to examine and the connection between the US and Japan should have been fortified, re-insisted and reinforced for new provincial difficulties looked by the two Nations.
The same way individuals could unwind at supper and have a profound conversation over wine, or perhaps with a stogie and cognac in a tranquil report, o-purpose is tasted delicately between chomps of food or pieces of tidbit. Regardless of whether among a couple following some serious time work, between long-term companions while they get up to speed and think back on bygone times, or colleagues sorting through new open doors for corporate development, the token of fixing off an o-choko cup of purpose, a slight bow of thanks and an intelligent bringing of the cup down to the table or counter, is one way relations are extended in Japan.
Perhaps mysteries are shared, admissions made, recommendations acknowledged, obligations excused and love given voice. The calm second over this little cup of dry rice wine gives an exceptional second to both. One of my companions, Kojiro Yamanaka (from Japanese Culture and Style) depicts it as,
“Association of the heart and psyche.”
In Japan, while drinking SAKE, a little cup called CHOKO is utilized. The reason for utilizing this little cup is to more than once pour each other a cup of SAKE. By rehashing this it is said that an association of heart and brain is extended or KIZUNA (a common bond) is created. With this exceptionally small cup CHOKO, the SAKE is gone in only a taste. In drinking together it is the custom to be aware of the other individual’s cup and keep on fixing up the each other’s CHOKO.
While rehashing this it is said that a bond or KIZUNA between one another is conceived. This approach to drinking alcohol is novel to show we they care about the other individual.”
A Sake set of the Sake container and o-choko cups (make a point to get two) will make an ideal gift to reclaim home. I truly want to believe that you will construct further kizuna with your sidekick as you share the o-choko custom and while, you will feel an enthusiasm for this intriguing part of Japanese connections.