Defining images of Japan, traditional sake barrels and rice straw bales

Although it is one of the most progressive countries in the world, Japan managed to preserve over the years its unique traditions, dressing styles, food dishes and even household objects.

Here are two beautiful traditional objects that are still a familiar sight in front of the traditional houses, restaurants or at shrines: taruzake (樽酒), the sake wooden casks made of sugi (Japanese cedar) and decorated with paper, and the tawara (俵) bales of rice straw, used to store and transport the rice...