St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1885-10-01
Written for The Caledonian.l
Japanese Beverages.


its kindred vice, the smoking, visits
hand in hand almost all the countries
geography teaches us to exist. They
doom the inhabitants thereof into mt
ter destruction. Literally the one
browns, the other smothers this noble
race, the race of man. Drunkenness
particularly is hideous demon.
Against this demon is marshalled our
temperance army. In his desOlating
march how can he neglect Japan, how
ever small aud distant an island it
is in the surging Pacific.
Brandy, whiskey, beer and wine
as exotic. Among aboriginal liquors
sake is the universal beverage. 1t is
prepared from the rice. Let me give
the modus Operandi. In winter-nev-
er in summer-amidst the dreary blasts
of deadly winter, band of hired,
robust cOuntTy-lads surrounds an i'm
mense tub into which, mt a stated in
teTval quantity of the rice Is uDre-
servedly poured. Standing intrepidly
ON the massive stone ledge of II bottom
less Artesian well, youth or two ex
ercise their siuewy arms in lifting and
dipping a pOnderOus Oaken bucket for
the transparent wafer from that abyss.
As soon us the mOmental cataract falls
into the tub, they begin to wash the
Grains with hnjs 0lamnr IT il a
scene of utmost activity. Remember
that this they do in defiance of the
cold wintry sky. A philosophical rea-
son for that | am unable to give. The
rice is then put into an. apartment, the
artificial temperature therein may
easily Ice taken for the genial heat of
spring. There it undergoes a chemi
cal change. Now and then a boss
comes to test the development of
sugar. When il certain amount of
sweetness is generated, the puffy
grains, no more the lice, together with
the water and some other materials
know not what, are thrown into many
gigantic tubs. These tubs are of pro-
digiOus dimensions, accessible only by
means of lofty ladder. Within one
of them dozen of Diogenes can live
comfortably. Fermentation takes place
in each of these open tubs during this
period of brewing the whole building
is actually filled with Il peculiar,
prckling odor. Fermentation finished,
the men are busily engaged in filling
up countless bags with the substance.
These bags are submitted to pressure.
Finally, whilst pressure increases every
moment, the transparent, brown liquid
flows into a reservoir underneath.
This is sake, the favOrite drink of
our people. This is that magical water
which enchants Japs to dance in frOlic.
sedate person is made so light
hearted 10y the drink as to sing so far
good, but lie is unavoidably made ir-
ritable to arouse troubles in his family.
We hear that our neighbor broke his
wife's head. 1t always turns out that
the instrument was bottle, and the
man was Il drunkard. This is true i'll
Japan as well rs in this country, and
all over the world.
Amy sake store has at least three diff
fcrent kinds-the best, the middle, and
the bad, at variable prices. Sake is
drunken on marriage, funeral, picnic,
theatre, holy days, business assOcia-
tious, and in short, on all occasions of
gathering. la some ceremony yOu
must take the glass of sake, otherwise
he sure Ia incnr public censure. Some
times the more You drink the more you
was accustomed to drink every offered
cup, but also was in the habit of quit |
ting the banqueting hall for the kitch- |
EN-. In font of the kitchen wall he |
and eXhaled breath as hard as his ener-
~ allowed. Presently the wall was
wet, and his stomach was quite ready |
for another draught. Surely he must
have been "a queer animal. 1t is custO-
mary and is the important pant of
Japanese marriage that bride and
bridegroom drink out of the same
glass. Our Young Christian ladies and
gentlemen refuse the odous usage,
and unwillingly displease their parents.
I ahstained from drinking since my
consequently, sorry to say,
that have not my own experience to
tell III this respect, save one. That
was in our town meeting where | was
sent rs delegate to represent my
family. | was then only little boy of
twelve. As innocent as | was Young,
|, partly from anxiety of discharging
my office smoothly and partly from
my having been OversOlicitOus about
with my lips. What was the effect
My internal organs, which were not
yet hardened by any seasoned diet, and
which forgot the taste of milk but yes
tcrday, were merged i'll the deluge of ,
the poisonous water. My whole body
became as red ~ any boiled lobster
heart ache, maladies of no
fatality in the burning fever of an en-
tire man and in fact, when | was car 4;
ried tn bed on my fathers arms, my
distracted nervous system could feel
no more reality than the most imagi- ,
nable sensation or riding on vehicle /
of fire. UHconsciously then, but after
wards Judged that it was rather haz-
lrdous. My father, though not at all
. great hiber. Iearned to drink for the :