A Shrine Connected to the Myths of the Izumo Fudoki
A Legendary Gathering of the Gods
The history of Saka Shrine can be traced back to the Izumo Fudoki, an ancient provincial record compiled during the Nara period. According to the text, as many as 180 deities gathered in this area, where they established a sacred food-preparation facility known as a mikuriya and brewed sake.
The gods are said to have held a great drinking celebration that continued for many days. According to tradition, the place name Saka is connected with the word for a drinking feast, reflecting the area’s ancient association with sake.
The Legend of Sparrows and Doburoku
Another local legend tells of sparrows carrying rice ears to the area. The rice is said to have naturally fermented and become doburoku, a cloudy, unfiltered form of Japanese rice wine.
This fascinating story has become part of the region’s traditional explanation for the origins of Japan’s early unfiltered alcoholic beverages, adding another layer of mystery to the shrine’s connection with sake.
A Shrine Dedicated to the Deities of Sake
Kusunokami, the Deity of Sake Brewing
The principal deity enshrined at Saka Shrine is Kusunokami, who is traditionally regarded as a deity of sake brewing and is also considered another name for Sukunahikona-no-Kami.
The shrine also enshrines Oyamaikazuchi-no-Mikoto, whose worship was introduced from Matsuo Taisha in Kyoto, as well as Konohanasakuya-hime-no-Mikoto, a deity closely associated with sake and other aspects of Japanese tradition.
These associations give Saka Shrine a particularly strong identity as a sacred place connected with brewing and fermentation.
A Rare Shrine Known as “Matsuo”
Among the many shrines in Japan associated with deities of sake, it is traditionally said that only Matsuo Taisha in Kyoto and Saka Shrine in Izumo bear the name “Matsuo” in this context.
This distinctive connection highlights the special status that Saka Shrine has held within Japan’s long history of sake culture.
The Doburoku Festival – A Living Sake Tradition
A Traditional Ceremony Dating Back to the Muromachi Period
The best-known annual event at Saka Shrine is its Grand Festival, known as the Doburoku Festival, held every year on October 13.
The festival is said to have continued since the Muromachi period, making it a valuable opportunity to experience a traditional sake-related ceremony that has been handed down through generations.
Special Permission to Brew Doburoku
Japanese laws place strict restrictions on the production of alcoholic beverages. Saka Shrine, however, has been granted special permission to brew up to one koku, or approximately 180 liters, of doburoku per year.
In preparation for the festival, the shrine’s chief priest personally takes on the role of toji, or master brewer, and prepares the sacred sake. The finished brew undergoes an official inspection the day before the festival, reflecting the careful procedures involved in this traditional practice.
Visitors Can Taste the Sacred Sake
On the day of the festival, ceremonies are held to pray for safe brewing, along with celebrations involving parishioners and performances of Izumo Kagura, a traditional form of sacred dance and music.
One of the most memorable aspects for visitors is the opportunity to taste the shrine’s doburoku offered as sacred sake. For those interested in Japanese food and drink culture, experiencing this traditional brew in its religious setting offers a rare glimpse into an ancient aspect of Japanese life.
A Long History of Worship
An Ancient Shrine Recorded in Historical Texts
Saka Shrine is also listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, an important 10th-century record of officially recognized shrines. This indicates the shrine’s significance from an early period in Japanese history.
During the medieval period, the shrine became known as Matsuo Daimyojin and developed a strong reputation as a guardian of sake brewing.
Support from Brewers and the Matsue Domain
During the Edo period, Saka Shrine received the patronage of the Matsue domain lords, as well as Izumo Toji brewers and other people involved in the brewing industry.
The shrine was also visited by people praying for success in business, prosperity in industry, and protection and good fortune. Its role therefore extended beyond sake brewing to the wider economic and social life of the region.
A Shrine with Many Traditional Blessings
Protection for Brewing and Fermentation
Saka Shrine is best known as a guardian of sake brewing, but its traditional associations extend to other forms of fermentation and food production.
It is also regarded as a place of worship for people involved in producing soy sauce, vinegar, and other fermented products. In addition, the shrine has traditional associations with marriage, safe childbirth, and fishing.
Because of these diverse connections, the shrine welcomes not only professional brewers but also ordinary visitors seeking blessings for different aspects of daily life.
A Sacred Place Where Izumo Mythology and History Meet
A Land Associated with the Gathering of the Gods
The area surrounding Saka Shrine has long been regarded as a special place where the gods gather. It appears in the mythology recorded in the Izumo Fudoki, and tradition also connects the area with deities involved in the construction of Izumo Taisha.
For this reason, Saka Shrine represents an important part of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Izumo region, where ancient mythology continues to influence local traditions today.
A Shrine Supporting Izumo’s Sake Culture
Saka Shrine remains an important destination for people involved in sake brewing throughout Japan. Brewers visit the shrine to pray for safe brewing and business prosperity, continuing a tradition that links the modern sake industry with the religious culture of ancient Izumo.
In earlier times, sacred sake brewed at the shrine was also traditionally offered to Izumo Taisha. This connection demonstrates how deeply sake production, religious worship, and the wider cultural traditions of Izumo have been intertwined.
Visiting Saka Shrine
A Quiet Shrine Surrounded by Nature
Saka Shrine is approximately a 10-minute walk from Ichibata Railway’s Ichibataguchi Station, making it relatively easy to reach by public transportation.
The peaceful shrine grounds are surrounded by natural scenery and offer a calm atmosphere away from the bustle of major tourist destinations. A visit can be especially rewarding for travelers interested in the history of Japanese sake, Shinto traditions, and the mythology of Izumo.
Experience the Spiritual Heritage of Japanese Sake
Saka Shrine is a unique destination where Japanese sake culture, ancient mythology, and Shinto tradition come together. The stories recorded in the Izumo Fudoki, the shrine’s connection with sake-brewing deities, and the continuing Doburoku Festival all reveal the deep cultural roots of fermented beverages in Japan.
For travelers interested in Japanese sake, visiting Saka Shrine offers more than an opportunity to see a historic shrine. It provides a chance to understand how sake has been connected with religion, agriculture, community life, and local mythology for centuries.
When exploring the Izumo region, consider taking a quiet walk through the shrine grounds and reflecting on the ancient traditions that are still preserved here. Saka Shrine offers a fascinating glimpse into the spiritual world behind one of Japan’s most iconic traditional beverages.