Kagami Biraki | 鏡開き

Kagami Biraki is the ceremonial breaking open of a sake barrel. This ceremony is usually performed at the beginning of celebratory events such has weddings, festivals, movie premieres or shop openings. Sake is put in a sake barrel (taru) and the guests of honor will use wooden mallets to strike the lid of the barrel to open it. Then, to share the good fortune with all present, the sake is served to all in attendance, usually ladled into square wooden masu sake cups.