How Okinawan Rapper Awich Is Bringing Poisonous Snake Liquor to The Japanese Hip-Hop Scene
College “jungle juice” and overpriced espresso martinis may be your cup of tea, but there’s nothing more powerful than a bottle of alcohol infused with the venom of a deadly pit viper. The rapper Awich is familiar with this exotic drink, and when she’s not making top-charting songs, she is busy brewing this mythical ale called habushu.
Proudly Okinawan, Awich is the epitome of an accomplished artist; she’s fearless and empowering, as well as sensitive and poetic. More than just being well-rounded, Awich is strong in her stance for equality and justice for everyone regardless of constructs like race and gender. At the moment, she’s based in Tokyo and is part of the label YENTOWN, which manages the best rappers in Japan, like kZm and MonyHorse. In this industry, women are rarely seen, but Awich is creating a wave of self-made female hip-hop artists and inspiring all kinds of artists. On top of that, she’s celebrating her Okinawan heritage even further with her own brand of habushu called Habush.
Habushu, or snake wine, has been crafted for centuries in Okinawa, a southern island of Japan. The recipe for this alcoholic drink begins with awamori, which is made from the distillation of long-grain rice and is also unique to the region. A pit viper, or habu, is mixed in this alcohol, and so are various herbs and spices.
The habu has been worshipped for a long time and is especially sought out for its stamina-boosting properties. Though the poison of this snake can be fatal, the toxins die out in the infusion. In some cases, habus are bottled alive and drowned in the cocktail, but nowadays most manufacturers are less extreme with their procedures and take the time to gut the reptile, in order to diminish the naturally strong smell of the drink.
This Okinawan liquor couldn’t be better represented by anyone else but Awich. Powerful, transcendental, and sensual, the habushu is a nectar reserved for the bold and daring, and is a symbol of the vitality and force of the islanders.
About the Author:
Mizuki Khoury
Born in Montreal, based in Tokyo. Sabukaru’s senior writer and works as an artist under Exit Number Five.
