Assakuki (sake press)

An assakuki (sake press) is a machine used in sake production to press the moromi (fermentation mash) and extract the sake. Two types are generally found: the traditional press known as the fune, and the automatic moromi press known as the Yabuta type. The traditional fune pressed the moromi using gravity and pressure, but automatic presses are now the mainstream, allowing efficient and uniform pressing. Because an automatic press can adjust the pressure applied to the moromi precisely, it can produce high-quality sake consistently.