Photo Essay – Sake Barrels and Symbolism

The Sake Barrels stacked on each other at Meiji Jingu, a very famous shrine in Tokyo.

The name of this sake “Hananomai” and the depiction of Cherry Blossoms suggests celebration to the Japanese. I imagine this is consumed in great quantities under the Cherry Blossom trees in spring!

Mt Fuji is considered a semi diety in Shintoism and is a a famous “power spot in Japan. It is a pilgrimage site.

The Daruma is a very powerful Japanese good luck Charm. It is part of New Year traditions so this Sake would be good for New Year. http://theculturetrip.com/asia/japan/articles/daruma-doll-japan-s-most-popular-good-luck-charm/charm

This is an “oni” or a demon. They are thought to be invincible and are considered to be strong beyond strong.

The Sake Barrels stacked five high and about 30 along

The pine tree or “matsu” symbolises Longevity, virtue and youth. Mt Fuji and Ebisu’s rod are also shown.

This is Ebisu san. He is one of the seven gods of good luck. This fellow is the God of Good Fortune, the Ocean, & Fishing Folk Deity of Honest Labor & Patron of Laborers and the God of Fair Dealing

This is a Turtle and represents long life.and good luck.

The crane or Tsuru is a national treasure. It is considered a symbol of good luck and longevity as it is thought to have a life span of a 1000 years. It is also a symbol often seen at weddings as the Cranes are monogamous, so this sake would be a good one to serve at a wedding.

Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine famous as the place where the Meiji Era Empress and Emperor’s souls are enshrined. It is a popular place for traditional weddings and one can often be seen. It is a lovely place to visit in the midst of the Tokyo madness. It is a green oasis of shade and birdsong. It is located at Harajuku station on JR or Meiji jingumae on the Chiyoda Subway line.

The shrine itself is a playground rich with material for the snappy happy like myself but today I want to show some restraint and focus on the Sake Barrels that can be seen on the walk into the shrine and more specifically the beautiful artwork and symbolism on them.

Brief Background information about Sake and the Shinto religion

Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan and Sake, rice wine is closely linked to the religion and used in many ceremonies, in fact it is as if the two are inseparable. Jichinsai or “ground purification ritual” that is carried out prior to the construction of any form of building is one of the basic bread and butter ceremonies performed by Shinto priests. In the jichinsai a liberal amount of sake is sprinkled over the site. Similarly sake is poured into water to pacify the gods of the sea and rivers by fishermen. Sake is has an important role in Wedding and New Year ceremonies too. Sake, salt and water are considered all things used to purify things for religious purposes.

For more information about the  reasons the barrels are at the shrine and the ceremonial uses of sake in the Shinto religion please see the following link. It is an excellent column on all things Japanese and is called “Ask Alice”

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2007/10/16/reference/sake-barrels-at-shrines/#.VSyeEvmUdWU

For an explanation of the pictures and symbolism used on these visually stunning barrels please check out my photo gallery and the captions attached.

Bottoms up and “kanpai”

Yoroshiku Onegai Shimasu

Leanne