酔 means 'drunk'

The 酔 essay examines intoxication from every angle, including great Osaka bars, studies of drunkards, tipsy cats and wasted elephants, and hangover prevention. The other three essays detail the processes of making saké, shochu, and beer, exploring all of the following (and much more): the ingredients in alcohol, the intricacies of fermentation, modes of distilling and brewing, malt, an old method of making saké by chewing rice and spitting it out, saké as a living entity, the image problem saké once had in Japan, alcoholic offerings to gods, the health benefits of shochu, and using alcohol to make food.

This bundle presents not only inebriated people but also drunk "animals." The Japanese associate heavy drinkers with 蛇 (because of wordplay and because a giant snake can swallow a lot at once) and with 虎 (given that excessive alcohol makes folks as wild as fierce tigers). But drunks classified as 蛇 versus 虎 behave differently; one is far more annoying. Regarding bad behavior while drunk, the 酔 essay paints a full picture, from driving while sloshed to annoying God! And the 没 essay touches on passing out from drinking ("falling into a sea of drunkenness") and liquor as one's downfall.

With these four kanji, you can lose yourself: You can put your heart and soul into pursuing a goal. You can become so passionate that you're obsessed. You can become intoxicated by an onsen or fascinated by music—even drunk on your own charms. You can admire a teacher so much that you're hopelessly devoted. Is all of this positive or negative? On the plus side, a fanatical mindset enables you to create elaborate things, feel deeply, commit fully, and master skills. On the minus side, you will likely annoy others as you slide into monomania and perfectionism!