When winter comes, we think of hot pot. And when we think of hot pot, we think of sake. The sake we drink this time of year is truly delicious, isn't it? I personally believe sake is the best pairing for hot pot. At Japanese dining establishments, you might be recommended wine by a sommelier with a badge, but I firmly believe sake is a far better match, so I'm determined not to be swayed by any sommelier at a Japanese restaurant (laughs).

Putting that aside, sake-related tools, much like other items for hobbyists, come in many good designs, whether famous or obscure. Think of shakers, think of sommelier knives. If you include vessels like glasses and sake cups, the total number is practically infinite.

The "Chirori": The Aesthetics of Dents!?

Among these, the item I want to focus on this time is the "chirori" shown in the photo. It's a vessel made of tin used for warming sake. The proper way to serve warmed sake is to transfer it to a tokkuri (sake flask) and present it to the customer with the appropriate cup, making the chirori a behind-the-scenes tool. However, looking at it now, I feel that a chirori, rather than a classic tokkuri, might better suit the modern dining table. That's why I enjoy bringing it directly to the table as is.

Of the three chirori in the photo, the dented one in the back has been in my home since before I was born. Tin is a soft metal, so soft it can be bent by hand, and these dents inevitably appear with use. The reason chirori are made of tin in the first place is that tin has high thermal conductivity and is resistant to rust. The inside of copper pots are also lined with tin to prevent corrosion. In other words, the tin in a chirori is a material chosen purely for its function, and since it's not meant to be seen by guests, any dents or darkening are part of its character. My personal belief is that the monetary value of things is merely a matter of rarity, and I find the texture of tin to be wonderful for this reason. The right material for the right purpose. It's a common saying, but a very true one.