ake has played a central role in Japanese life and culture for the past 2,000 years, and the knowledge and techniques involved in sake brewing have spread to every corner of the nation. In fact, sake is such an integral part of the Japanese diet that having some knowledge of it can add to one’s understanding of Japanese history, culture, and society, as well as of the social environment in Japan today. This pamphlet gives you everything you need to know to raise a glass of Japanese sake and say, “Kampai!”   ade primarily from rice, sake is a fermented beverage brewed using a microorganism called koji and yeast. It has an alcohol content of from 13% to 16%. The quality of water used in brewing sake is also important. Brewers take advantage of the various kinds of natural water available in Japan to make excellent sake. There are many different varieties of sake, and it can be enjoyed either warm or chilled, depending on the season.