Sake in Shinto

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In Shintoism, which is Japan’s most popular indigenous religion, sake holds profound spiritual significance, serving as a bridge between humans and kami, which are gods or spirits. More than just a beverage, sake embodies purity, gratitude, and connection, and shows Shintoism’s reverence for harmony.

Sake As a Sacred Offering
Sake is seen as a gift from nature, mirroring the Shinto belief in the divinity of the natural world. Its purity makes it a fitting offering in Shinto rituals, where it is presented to the kami in lacquered wooden boxes called masu or ceremonial vessels as part of shinsen. The kami are believed to consume the essence of the sake, which is later shared among priests and worshippers in the naorai ritual, and it’s meant to lead to a sense of community and divine connection.

Central to Shinto Practices
Sake plays a big role in major Shinto ceremonies, from matsuri festivals and kagura dances to life events like weddings and funerals. In the san-san-kudo ritual at weddings, couples take three sips from three cups to symbolize their unity and the kami’s blessing. During funerals, sake honors the deceased and facilitates their peaceful transition into the afterlife. In misogi purification rites, sake joins water to cleanse body and spirit, preparing individuals for communion with the divine.

A Cultural Treasure
The close relationship between sake and Shinto is rooted in tradition, and many breweries are located near shrines so that they can produce sake with spiritual care. Even in modern times, sake retains its sacred status and is featured in New Year celebrations, festivals, and home altars. For many Japanese, even those who aren’t deeply religious, sake’s role in these rituals proves it to be a link between the earthly and the divine.

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