After a long journey, a Chinese ship arrives on the shores of the Ryukyu Kingdom (present-day Okinawa). At the port, envoys from the Qing dynasty alight and proceed to Shuri Castle, where they¡¯re received with fanfare by Ryukyuan royals.
As a symbol of goodwill, the Ryukyuans present a small but luxurious gift for premodern dignitaries: thimble-sized cups of awamori, the island¡¯s heady and intriguing indigenous liquor.
¡°The cups were so small because awamori was precious and therefore reserved for royalty,¡± says Koji Higa, manager of members-only speciality bar Awamori Souko. He pours the spirit into one of the dainty vessels. ¡°These days, many people think of alcohol simply as a means to get drunk, but awamori is a spirit with a rich culture behind it. It is a symbol of pride for Okinawans.¡±
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