About Barware

Traditionally, sake is served in wooden box cup, known as masu; unlike other containers, it is a standard measurement, which has a volume of (1 fl oz). In the past, the wooden box was said to complement the traditionally brewed sake, as it is brewed in a wooden cask, but in modern times, the masu is shunned by sake purists because the wood affects the flavor of the sake. Furthermore, tradition requires the masu be filled to the rim as a sign of prosperity. It is now common to make masu as lacquerware or even out of ABS plastic. As the traditional sake-serving cup and a symbol of prosperity, the masu still has a place in modern times and is still used for the purpose of ceremony or to show generosity. In some of the more traditional Japanese restaurants, the server may put a glass inside the masu (or put the masu inside a saucer) and pour until the sake overflows and spills into the secondary container.

Nowadays, the sake is typically served in ceramic cups. The cups used for drinking sake are generally small cylindrical vessels called ochoko, but may also include flatter shapes such as wide-mouthed bowls. Sakazuki are more ceremonial cups used most commonly at weddings and other special occasions, but larger versions of sakazuki also exist for binge drinking. This information has been obtained from Wikipedia.