Otōri

Otōri (オトーリ) is a custom in Miyako Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan of drinking awamori, a distilled beverage native to Okinawa Japan. The custom involves one person offering a toast to each of several other people in a round.

Otōri

Otōri usually involves fewer than 20 persons, but this is not a rule. One person, the oya (master of ceremonies), makes a short speech related to the particular celebration or ceremony being observed, drinks, pours awamori for the neighboring person. The oya usually moves counterclockwise around the circle, doing the same for each person. In some areas, clockwise may be employed.

Origin of otōri

Otōri originated in a toast conducted in the 16th century in Okinawa. At that time, sake was considered very precious, and people shared sake, so that it was evenly enjoyed by everyone who attended a party. This custom, called Yoron Kenpo, remains practiced on Yoron Island. The first record of otōri on Miyako Island was in the 14th century, when shochu was shared by soldiers going to fight. In the 16th century, the same custom was recorded on Kurima Island.

Recent otōri in Miyakojima

In the 1980s, otōri became popular in Miyako Island, Okinawa Prefecture.

References

• おとーり 宮古の飲酒法 ぷからすゆうの会(2005) Taira-shi. Otori, the drinking of shochu at Miyako (2005) Pukarasuyuunokai. Hirara-shi(Miyakojima-shi)
• Otoori, Miyako's way of drinking sake (part 1)(2002), Ryukyu Shimpo (evening), Aug. 18.
• Otoori, Miyako's way of drinking sake (part 2)(2002), Ryukyu Shimpo (evening), Aug. 25.
• Otori, by Hirose Yoichi, in Japanese
• Otori, by Ganaha Munehiro, in Japanese