A Pair of Okinawan Tsuboya Daichibin Hip Flasks
November 2014 Auction by Far East Asian Art

This is a handsome pair of Okinawan (Ryukyu) Daichibin Shisa sake jug. The Daichibin is an Okinawa hip flask carried by a leather cord that loops through the two lugs at the top of the jug. They were first introduced in the 12th Century from China and designed to carry water. The original Dachibin were used by farmers to carry water or Awamori (saki) in the rice fields as the curved shape fits perfectly around the waist. Thus the sake could be taken anywhere...