In Japan, a "sugidama" is a famous talisman of cedar leaves in the form of a ball hung up in front of a brewery to celebrate the starting of a new batch of sake. At first it is lush and green, but over the months it turns a mellow brown, aging at the same pace as the sake. 
With roots to antiquity, today the sugidama is so well known as a sign for sake that many liquor stores, bars, and restaurants also hang it over their entrance to attract customers. An elegant and charming way of marketing.
It is said that the cedar is the special tree of the gods of sake, but there is also a theory that cedar leaves were traditionally hung in front of doors and windows for the inherent antimicrobial properties of this plant: it stopped the brewing batch from going bad.
An older term is also sometimes used, "sakebayashi". Originally they were more bundles of cedar leaves, but by the end of the 18th century they took the round form we see today. Some people still prefer the charming 17th century form with an intricate weaved barrel shape.
