Shitanomi (lower tap hole of a tank)

Shitanomi (下呑) refers to one of the openings near the bottom of a tank used to store sake or other alcoholic beverages, through which liquid is taken out or put in. Tanks are usually fitted with upper and lower tap holes (nomiana, 呑穴), and the shitanomi is the lower one. During sake production, the sake in the tank can be drawn out through the shitanomi. This is important for providing clear sake that does not contain the sediment (ori, or lees) in the tank. Conversely, the upper tap hole is called agenomi (上呑) and is used to draw off the liquid from the upper layer inside the tank. In this way, the shitanomi plays an important role in the quality control of sake and in providing clear sake.