Sake Sets

I have always loved sake sets, whose aesthetic so eloquently marries form with function. These vessels for sacramental drink (sake, after all, is wine) are themselves sacramental: they commemorate the pouring and consumption of sake via a deft spin of the potter's wheel, a lovely turn of the glazer's hand, an elegant swirl of the glassblower's wand.

I concentrate my collecting on drip-glaze ceramic sake sets in shades of mahogany, acorn, russet, pine, fresh earth. I display them on top of my cook's bookcase along with harmonizing pieces that include vases, candle holders, tea pots. My favorite motif, outside of the drips themselves, is autumn leaves, whose colors inspire my entire kitchen and dining room. These beautiful ceramics in turn inspire my cooking -- especially when I serve flaky sake-steamed halibut drizzled with shaved ginger and lounging on a pillow of Japanese risotto.

While visiting us last month, my sister-in-law found a gorgeous set in the most extraordinary faceted leaf green glass. The vessels are designed to catch the light from without as a way of highlighting the clarity of the wine within -- what a lovely, poetic design expression. Maybe she'll post a picture of her new treasure in the comments section!