Omiki
御神酒
Définition
Sacred sake offered to the gods (kami) at Shinto shrines. Omiki is placed in white porcelain vessels on the altar, and after the spiritual essence has been received by the kami, it is shared among worshippers in a communal ritual called naorai.
En profondeur
Omiki occupies a central place in Shinto worship. The act of offering sake to the kami and then sharing it among humans creates a spiritual communion that bridges the divine and human worlds. At major shrines, sake breweries donate komodaru (straw-wrapped barrels) that are displayed prominently and eventually opened for festival consumption. The quality of omiki varies — at small neighborhood shrines it may be simple futsu-shu, while prestigious shrines receive premium sake from renowned breweries.