Sake

From time immemorial, the creation of Japanese sake has been attributed to mysterious powers. From this train of thought, Japan’s sake has first been offered to the gods before being consumed by people. This custom of so-called “sacred sake” continues even to this day. Take, for example, the sacred sake enjoyed at festivals, or the “san-san-kudo” exchange of nuptial vows through sips of sake at Shinto weddings — even now, sake and the divine are closely linked. There are some, of course, who imbibe sake merely to get drunk — but as a way to get closer to the gods, not for sheer enjoyment. It seems that sake has since ancient times been a holy libation.