Yanagizake - Yanagizake

Japanese: 柳酒 - やなぎざけ

It was also called Willow Sake. From the early Muromachi period through to the Edo period, it was praised as the epitome of fine sake produced in Kyoto, and was the subject of a chant in the Kyogen play Mochisake, "From the pine sakaya (sake shop) and the plum jar, Willow Sake is the best." It was also highly valued as a gift for nobles. It was considered a fine example of the so-called "sumizake (refined sake)," and its price was nearly twice that of other high-quality sake. It was often simply called "Yanagi," but this name was also the trade name of the brewer, and was apparently due to the fact that willow wood was used for the barrels.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

柳の酒ともいわれた。室町時代初期から江戸時代にかけて京都産の名酒の代表格とたたえられ，〈松のさかや(酒屋)や梅つぼ(梅壺)の，柳の酒こそすぐれたれ〉(狂言《餅酒（もちさけ）》)と謡われた酒で，貴紳の贈答品としても珍重された。いわゆる〈すみざけ(清酒)〉の好例とみられ，値段も他の良質酒の2倍に近かった。たんに〈柳〉とだけ呼ばれることが多かったが，この名は醸造元の屋号でもあり，樽材に柳の木を用いたのにもよるらしい。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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