Funakuchi (press spout)

Funakuchi (槽口) is an important part used in sake production: the spout through which sake flows out of the sakabune (酒槽), the pressing vat. It is located at the lower part of one side of the sakabune and serves to draw off the sake once it has been pressed (joso). The funakuchi functions as the opening from which the sake is drawn out. Similar terms include kamekuchi (亀口), ninokuchi (樋口), and chōshiguchi (銚子口). All of these terms refer to types of spouts used to draw off sake, and each has different characteristics depending on its structure and how it is used.