The reason is perhaps that Japanese sushi is more famous than the world. It’s been mixed in a mountain warehouse for centuries, in a public pub like the taste of the country izakayaspoured out at weddings and served a little cold for special drinks.
Now, the light rice wine that plays an important role in the culinary traditions of Japan – and is a favorite tipple of celebrities such as Cate Blanchett – is included. Unescowhich he put in his number “intangible heritage of the culture of humanity.”
At a meeting in Luque, Paraguay, members of the Unesco commission to protect the cultural heritage of humanity decided to recognize 45 customs and cultural products worldwide, including Brazilian white cheese, Caribbean cassava bread and Palestinian olive soap.
Otherwise Unesco of the world Inheritance The list, which includes sites considered important to humanity, such as the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, an intangible cultural heritage designation, the names of products and practices of various cultures that are worthy of recognition.
The Japanese embassy received the message in Luque.
“The cause is considered a divine gift and an essential part of social and cultural affairs in Japan,” Takehiro Kano, Japan’s ambassador to Unesco, told The Associated Press.
The Japanese have been drinking it since about the eighth century, at first believing it to ward off evil spirits.
The main ingredients are a few: rice, water, yeast and koji, a form of rice that breaks down starches into fermentable sugars such as malting in beer production. The entire two-month long process can be steamed, stirred, simmered and grueling.
Rice – which holds tremendous marketing potential as part of Japan’s larger cultural identity – is key to alcoholic brews.
For a product in the Japanese category, the rice must be Japanese.
In the Unesco recognition, the delegation said, more captured the knowledge of making a generous thanks. It also honored a tradition dating back some 1,000 years – the reason it makes a cameo in Japan’s famous 11th century Novel The Tale of Genji as the drink of choice in the Heian court.
Now officials hope to restore its image as Japan’s leading drinker even as younger drinkers cross over to the country to import wine or domestic beer and whiskey.
“It means a lot to Japan and to Japan,” Kano said of the Unesco designation. “This study will help to renew the traditional case study.”
In Tokyo, the Japanese prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, said he was “delighted” to be making the address. Ishiba congratulates those who are dedicated to preserving and promoting the tradition.
Italian Brazilians also expressed hope that the small listing could lift the country’s export economy, as the cause of popularity resonates around the world amid increased interest in Japanese cuisine.
Export cases, mainly to the US and China, account for more than $265m a year, according to the Association of Japan and Sochu Makers, a trade group.
Japan’s delegation appeared ready to celebrate on Wednesday – in classic Japanese style. After the announcement, Kano moved a cypress box full of sake to burn alcoholic beverages and cultural rituals.