Directive to promote 'awamori' spirit adopted in Okinawa town

Yay alcoholism?

It can not be Japan’s oldest spirit, as Okinawa was an independent kingdom up until the 1872, and was not part of Japan. It’s a rough drink, the 10 year old version is good though. This directive seems rather irresponsible.

Awamori is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from long grain rice with black type rice malt. It has a distinctive aroma and is best for pork or eggs cuisines, especially in summer. Kampai !

This spirit is made from Thai rice, remember how the Japanese reacted to the 1994 short falls of rice being made up with separate bags of Thai rice? Yuko Takasaki, Diet member, remember what she said. Thai rice in a food product, no problem whatsoever for me, but not for some unfortunately. It is not a smooth drink, more like moonshine, or poitin. The aged version is smoother. Best served with LOTS of ice. Do not drink as the Yonabaru assembly tells you, but sensibly.

ListenTheTruthToday 08:54 am JST

This spirit is made from Thai rice, remember how the Japanese reacted to the 1994 short falls of rice being made up with separate bags of Thai rice? Yuko Takasaki, Diet member, remember what she said. Thai rice in a food product, no problem whatsoever for me, but not for some unfortunately. It is not a smooth drink, more like moonshine, or poitin. The aged version is smoother. Best served with LOTS of ice. Do not drink as the Yonabaru assembly tells you, but sensibly.

He speaks the truth! It's made from Thai rice and it's rough.

There’ll be a few grimaces at these ‘toastings’

It can not be Japan’s oldest spirit, as Okinawa was an independent kingdom up until the 1872, and was not part of Japan.

Its debatable to say there even was a country called Japan up until unification in 1603. Do you discount Japanese history before then too? Okinawa is now part of Japan, so Okinawa's history is now part of Japan's history.

I think every law maker behind this ordinance needs to be sacked. This is hardly the thing their job of lawmaker is meant for. Leave people's spirit alone. Let culture die or develop as it will. Its not the concern of the government.

@Norm, we think you not know any Okinawan people. Awamori is Okinawan, not Japanese. Uyukuimisooree.

UK9393 And I think you cannot understand that a thing can be both Okinawan and Japanese at the same time. Too much information to keep under your cap? Okinawans speak Japanese. They carry Japanese passports. What is Okinawan is now also Japanese. Its obvious and irrefutable. Californians may have serious differences in culture from Alabamans but they are both American still.

Just got back from a few days in Okinawa. Awamori straight might be a bit rough, but it was loverly in sekwasa cocktails and what one izakaya called 'Awaball gold' - like a highball but with awamori and Canadian Club ginger.

Just got to Okinawa a few hours ago. Ryukyu Ohcho on the rocks is on tap for tonight. Nothing wrong with awamori!

Mocheake - Looks like you'll have way better weather than we did.

Enjoy!

Norman, are the Uyghurs in China considered Chinese? Neither side seems to think so.

A passport doesn't define things as black & white as you assume. Try asking the Okinawan majority if they consider themselves Japanese, or try asking mainland Japanese folks if Awamori is Japanese. You'll have your "irrefutable" answer right there.