In Japan and throughout the world, we are staying home to combat the spread of Covid-19 coronavirus. With Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures now under a state of emergency, many businesses have closed and residents are doing their part by staying inside their homes and social distancing. Self-isolation is a lonely activity and one of the biggest things we miss about the outside world is visiting an izakaya with friends.
Photo: Ohashi Ryoki
At least now we can have an on-nomi (online drinking party) in style. Ohashi Ryoki, a speciality masu retailer, is releasing a new wooden square sake cup emblazoned with the phrase #stayhome as a gentle reminder to us all to stay indoors.
A masu is a square drinking vessel made from hinoki (Japanese cypress) and was originally used to measure rice and soy sauce. Now they're a good luck symbol used to serve sake on special occasions. A portion of the sales from these wooden sake servers will be donated to Doctors Without Borders Japan's New Coronavirus Infectious Disease Crisis Fund.
The masu box is just ¥600 and you can order it from Ohashi Ryoki's Japanese website until May 31. International shipping is available, depending on the current postal service situation in Japan and the delivery country.
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