CEREMONIAL SAKÉ

Most of Japan's cultural tradition is steeped in Shinto, the native religion of Japan, which dates back to about 500 BC. Shinto or "way of the gods" is a religion that reveres nature, and since ancient times saké has been associated with its purification rituals, special ceremonies and festive occasions. Shinsen (food offerings), which are placed on the Shinto alter, always include rice, water, salt, saké and food representing the mountains, the sea and the plains. Offerings of saké are made during rice planting and harvest festivals, during Obon in honor of one's ancestors, as a prayer for the good health of a newborn child and on numerous other occasions.

Starting with the New Year, Japanese families enjoy a traditional breakfast which includes ozoni - a light soup made out of a clear broth, vegetables, sometimes fish or chicken, and a broiled rice cake called omochi. A toast is made with a small cup of otosu which is a sweet saké brewed with cinnamon and other spices or amazake (sweet saké). Both are believed to promote good health throughout the year.

Hinamatsuri (Girl's Day Festival), held on March 3rd, is the day parents celebrate their daughters' health, growth and good fortune. Japanese court dolls called hina are displayed on a tiered shelf in the home and traditional foods are served including osenbei (sweet rice crackers), hishi-mochi (rice cakes) and a special saké called, shiro-saké (white saké brewed from saké and rice malt).

Saké also is an integral part of the cask breaking ceremony, kagamiwari. The circular lid of a saké cask is broken with a wooden mallet to celebrate an important event such as the New Year, a wedding, an anniversary or the opening of a new business. Once the lid is broken - the participants are given traditional wooden cups (masu) filled with saké and toast in Japanese saying, kampai!

A typical Japanese wedding is presided over by a Shinto priest who begins by conducting a series of purification rituals. The highlight of the ceremony is San-san-kudo (three times three exchange) or the sharing of saké in which the taking of vows is solemnized. Three small cups are filled with saké and stacked on top of each other. The groom takes a sip from each of the three cups followed by his bride who does the same. The cups are then passed onto the groom's parents, then the bride's. Finally if the couple met each other through a tradition called Omiai where a matchmaker was involved, he or she drinks last and the couple is then officially married.

The month of April marks the beginning of spring and in Japan, the beloved cherry blossom season. Since feudal times, numerous cherry blossom festivals and events centered around hanami or flower viewing have been held. It is customary for families and friends to gather under the cherry trees' colorful branches and enjoy a Japanese boxed lunch (obento) and saké.

Another occasion when saké is used ceremonially, is during a Sumo wrestling match. A Shinto priest will sprinkle the mats with saké to purify them and then leave a little pile of salt on one edge of the circle.