What is Sake

Sake is an alcoholic beverage that has been beloved by the Japanese. It has played a central role in Japanese life and culture for the past 2,000 years, and the knowledge and techniques involved in sake brewing have spread to every corner of the nation. In fact, sake is such an integral part of the Japanese diet that having some knowledge of it can add to one’s understanding of Japanese history, culture, and society, as well as of the social environment in Japan today. This Website gives you everything you need to know to raise a glass of Japanese sake and say, “Kampai

The same distilling methods established more than 500 years ago are still being used to this day. A major characteristic of sake brewing is the use of malt. The brewing process is quite complicated and requires some sophisticated skills. This rich brewing tradition is probably one reason why the Japanese love sake so much.

Made primarily from rice, sake is a fermented beverage brewed using a microorganism called koji and yeast. It has an alcohol content of from 13% to 16%. The quality of water used in brewing sake is also important. Brewers take advantage of the various kinds of natural water available in Japan to make excellent sake. There are many different varieties of sake, and it can be enjoyed either warm or chilled, depending on the season.

With the development of high-quality “Ginjo” sake and with the advancements in brewing equipment and technologies, it has been said that today’s sake is of the highest quality of any time in Japan’s rich sake history

Indispensable Part of Japanese Life

Sake has become indispensable parts of everyday life in Japan. Sake is a key element of many Shinto rituals and Japanese festivals. In fact, sake is so revered that it is used as a tribute to the Gods during the harvest festivals and other celebrations. Even now sake is used for various important occasions in Japan. From long ago there has been the belief in Japan of many gods that reside in all things (not only mountains, rivers and forests, but man-made things as well). In fact, there is the belief that a female god named Matsuo lives in all sake. Craftsmen that produce Japanese sake have been known to pray to Matsuo and ask that she infuses their skills with the spirit needed to make the best possible sake.

Celebrating Sake

There is always Sake when People gather around in Japan. Sake is not just a drink but the one offered to the Gods. People drink Sake in order to make them purified. People drink Sake in order to connect with Gods. People drink Sake in order to make human bonds strong.

Before a festival starts, an opening ceremony must be held. People gather around a shrine and perform a ritual. In the ceremony, after purification by a priest, people drink Sake called Omiki served for Gods. This can either be done by small cups being passed around and people share the Sake and the cups. By drinking it, people can connect with the Gods.

Before the great Akita Kanto Festival, for example, each team will gather and the adults will each share a tiny sip of Sake. This invokes the spirits to help the performers work together smoothly and provide a good show for the large crowds of spectators.

At the wedding ceremony, Japanese people perform the 3-3-9 ritual. Bride and groom drink together Omiki to vow their wedding to Gods. They each sip three times from each of three bowls for a total of 9 times. At the end of the ceremony, relatives drink Omiki together. This symbolizes the group or family connection with the newly married couple.

Japan has a lot of Gods or god/sprits called Kami. In Japanese Shinto, Kami inhibit every life and every part of the universe. Kami exist on land, water, animals, and plants. There are many shrines in Japan. Each shrine has its own Kami or and has a special day to worship it. On the special day, people living near the shrine go to there, offer gifts and worship the Kami. At night, people drink Sake in their houses. Neighbors visit houses near each other, and eat and drink together. By serving food and Sake, people entertain guests. Of course, the day is for the Kami. But the day is also for people to deepen their relations. Thus, human interaction is seen as being interdependent with the Kami, the god/spirits, and Sake is a means of making the necessary connections.

When Japanese go to festivals, eating and drinking Sake is always part of the fun. At many festivals, older men wander around the crowd with a large bottle of Sake and paper cups, pouring Sake for anyone who wants to it. Sometimes there are great vats of Sake opened, the wooden tops smashed with wooden mallets. The Sake inside is available to everyone at the festival. Drinking is not really for getting drunk, but for making people happy.

(Quotation from “The Handbook of Akita Sake”, compiled by Akita Prefecture Government.)

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