Renowned chef, Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa – along with his associates, Robert DeNiro and Meir Tepper – has celebrated the official opening of the Nobu Fairmont Monte Carlo restaurant, Monaco, in the presence of TT.SS.HH. The Sovereign Prince Albert and Princess Charlène.
Accompanied by the hotel’s owner, Ian Livingstone, 200 prestigious guests experienced a traditional Japanese sake ceremony, which was set on a stage in the heart of the restaurant.
Known as Kagami-biraki, this ceremony is performed at celebratory events in which the lid of the sake barrel is broken open with a wooden mallet, and the sake is served to everyone present. Kagami refers to the lid of the sake barrel which, due to its round shape, is a symbol of harmony and biraki means “to open”, welcoming in good fortune.
The kagami-biraki is then followed by the distribution of mochi – soft round rice cakes – cut up in two pieces to commemorate both the New Year and the start of a new departure in life or business. In the past, samurai households would welcome in the New Year by making an offering to the gods of a stack of mochi placed on a kamidana – a small Shinto altar, usually set on a shelf over a lintel – to grant good health and fortune.
Even today, this custom is largely observed and has become an increasingly popular way of launching company foundation events, wedding receptions, house-warming parties and other important celebrations.
