Tarekuchi (sake outflow spout of the pressing vat)

Tarekuchi (垂れ口, also read tareguchi) is the spout through which sake flows out of the sakabune (酒槽, the pressing vat) during sake production. It is located in the lower part of one side of the sakabune and is designed so that the sake drips out naturally during pressing (joso, 上槽). The tarekuchi is an important feature in many traditional sake brewing settings. It is also called funakuchi (槽口), kamekuchi (亀口), hinokuchi (樋口) or choshiguchi (銚子口). These names can vary depending on the equipment used and the way the sake flows, but all refer to a basic element that supports sake production.