Omiki is the sake that is offered to the kamis in Japanese Shintoism.
The word “Omiki” is a beautiful name for sake, with the “mi” added to the word “sake”.
The word “miki” is a beautiful name for sake.
It is an indispensable part of the rituals, and is offered before the kami during the rituals (sake is often used).
The word “miki” means to receive sake that has been offered to the kamis and has energy in it, or to eat and drink the same thing as the kamis.
In the past, “Omiki” was brewed by the shrine or the Ujiko.
Nowadays, due to regulations under the Liquor Tax Law, some shrines, like Ise Jingu, have a license to brew sake or a permit from the tax office to brew “Doburoku”.
The clear, cloudless sake is called “Seishu”.
A synonym for “Seishu” is “Dakushu,” which means cloudy sake.
Dakushu has not undergone the straining process and is commonly called “Doburoku”.
It is said that the history of Doburoku in Japan is almost the same as that of rice farming.
Since ancient times, it has been customary to make Doburoku and offer it to the kamis in order to pray for a good harvest in the following season, and even today, more than 40 shrines hold doburoku festivals.
Since there is usually a pair of Omiki-Tokkuri (sacred sake bottles) to offer to the altar, it is considered a metaphor for marital bliss.
As the number of sake drinkers has gradually decreased, more and more efforts have been made to make sake with lower alcohol content.
When drinking sake, there is basically a “pourer” and a “receiver,” and culture is also included in the gesture.
