Spiritual Spirits
Sake, Japanese rice wine, is said to have its roots as a sacred
drink. A drink for the gods. Thankfully, these days mere mortals
may enjoy it as well. But sake has kept many of its connections
to more sacred worlds. Shinto shrines still offer sake as an
offering to the countless deities that are worshipped in Japan,
and many a religious festival would surely soon cease to exist
without this lubricant.
Although sake is sold in bottles and packs in Japan's shops and
supermarkets, shrines still use the age old keg. Quite a few
shrines have dozens of beautifully decorated sake kegs stacked
up against their walls. It is an almost magical sight that has
captivated many a photographer.