Canadian ambassador-designate Jonathan Fried contemplates the task at hand, which is cracking into a cask of SPACE SAKE at the 2008 Japan Aerospace Exhibition (http://www.japanaerospace.jp/) opening ceremonies in Yokohama October 1st.
The Japanese government has identified Aerospace as a top priority for next sector development as part of its forward-looking national economic agenda, and is well positioned to become a global player at the centre of aerospace growth in Asia. Some Canadian companies are getting with the program, and are in attendance at this ‘once every 4 years’ exhibition.
For future reference, Tosa Space Sake is made in Kochi from yeast that went into orbit. Canada-Japan Society VP Steve Archer, our AvCorp Industries connection at the exhibition, reports that it is remarkably rich and fruity. Kochi brewers used rice variety “Kaze Naru Ko” and process has resulted in a very fine brew.
Kagami-biraki is a ceremony performed at celebratory events in which the lid of the sake barrel is broken open by a wooden mallet and the sake is served to everyone present. Kagami refers to the lid of the sake barrel and biraki means “to open” so kagami-biraki literally means “opening the lid.” Because of the lid’s round shape, the kagami is a symbol of harmony. The kagami-biraki, therefore, represents an opening to harmony and good fortune.