Sugidama

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A brown-discolored Sugidama above the entrance to a sake brewery in Takayama
A still green Sugidama above the entrance to a sake brewery in Hiroshima

A Sugidama ( Japanese 杉 玉 ) or Sakabayashi ( 酒 林 ) is the traditional symbol of the Japanese sake breweries in southern Honshū .

These are branches of the sickle fir ( sugi ) that are tied together and cut into a spherical shape. These balls are hung over the entrance to the brewery when new sake is made. The brown discoloration of the leaves indicates that the prepared sake is ready to drink.

Web links

  • Alice Gordenker, Sugidama , January 21, 2005, on: japantimes.co.jp