UNESCO To Add Japan's Sake Making Process To Intangible Heritage List

Diorama museum pembuatan sake. (Wikimedia Commons/hslo)

JAKARTA - The advisory panel team of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recommended Japan's traditional knowledge and skills in the manufacture of "shochu" distilled sake and liquor to be included in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which will soon be officially ratified later this year, the Japanese cultural body said.

After being officially adopted by a UNESCO intergovernmental committee hearing from December 2 to 7, in Asuncion, Paraguay, they will be Japan's 23rd entry on the list.

The making of traditional sakes is an ancient technique to fermented rice and other ingredients using "coji" prints.

This is a rare production method, in which some fermentation proceeds simultaneously in one container.

Japanese government spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, said recommendations to register the main culture "provide great joy for us," adding Japan would continue to promote the industry by "sharing its historical and cultural wealth with people around the world," quoted from Kyodo News November 20.

Many parties in the industry in Japan also welcomed the move, hoping that recommendations and inclusion are expected to attract attention to traditional drinks and their production methods.

"It is an honor to make Japanese sake," said Hideharu Ota, president of Daishichi Sake Brewery Co., a sake factory in Fukushima Prefecture, northeast Japan.

"I hope people will be interested in the world-recognized Japanese sake again."

Meanwhile, Genuemon Sudo, 55th leader of Sudohonke Co., which is said to have been established since 111, in Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, said the recommendation was "the rediscovery of Japanese traditional culture."

"I would be happy if the inclusion would help attract people's attention and help prevent the manufacture of traditional broken sake," he said.

Previously, the Japanese Government nominated the manufacture of sakes in 2022 for the inclusion of UNESCO.

Among Japan's already registered unobjected heritages are the performing arts of Noh and Kabuki, as well as traditional dishes "washoku".

In addition, the Land of the Rising Sun is also trying to get the "sodo" calligraphy to be registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by 2026 when the UN agency holds a two-year nomination screening.