Omiki is the name given to sake that is left on altars as offerings to the Kami.
At major shrines it will be donated by the barrel. At most shrines it will be donated by the bottle.
At small wayside shrines (Hokora) or secondary shrines (Sessha) in the grounds of main shrines, the Omiki is left by the "One Cup".
Put on the market in 1964, to coincide with the opening of the Tokyo Olympics, the Ozeki Sake Company's "One Cup Sake" came in a small jar holding 180ml. Other companies soon followed suit.
The size was based on a traditional measure of rice or sake, the "go", which was a small wooden box with an interior volume of roughly 180ml.
Obviously, some kami prefer other beverages, like cafe au lait....
.. or shochu cocktails.
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Love the lighting in these. Really catches the eye.
ReplyDeletePlease tell me what the difference is between a "go" and a "masu"?
ReplyDeleteYou write that a traditional wooden box with a measure of rice, 180ml is called a "go."
A "masu" is also described as a square cedar box holding 180ml, used for drinking sake, originally designed as a rice measure.
Is it two different readings of the same kanji; kun/on? If not, what distinguishes a Go from a Masu?
Great photo blog. I look forward to each one.
Thanks,
James
James... same thing I guess....:)
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