“Shrine of Doburoku”
Ugajinja is on the banks of an irrigation pond in the middle of the rural parts of the Kasada area、 which is east of Kanonji. Along with the Izumo Shrine in Shimane and the Grand Shrine at Ise、 Ugajinja is one of only three shrines in Japan (and the only one in Shikoku) that is licensed to make doburoku、 unrefined sake.
Two times a year、 in both spring and fall、 according to an old tradition、 the chief brewer sets to his task wearing white clothes、 and using traditional sake brewing tools、 he brews omiki (doburoku for ritualistic offerings) over a period of 20 days. Since the Engi Period、 approximately 1100 years ago、 this style of brewing sake has been passed secretly from one brewer chosen among the parishioners of the shrine to the next. After the final ceremony of doburoku sake brewing、 called the “Mouth Opening Ceremony、” the sake is offered at the shrine’s altar. Since about 300 years ago、 doburoku has been offered to the shrine’s parishioners and people coming to pray here.
Of special mention is that Shikoku’s only “Doburoku Festival” is held on a Saturday in the middle of the month of October、 the day before the annual autumn festival. Here、 doburoku is served along with ebijiru (shrimp soup) and other local specialties、 and people crowd the streets to see the shishi-mai (lion dance) and the chosa (a big wooden float with a taiko drum inside) as it is carried through the streets. If you happen to be talking about sake in Shikoku、 this is an event that you must pass along to your listeners.
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「Along the bank of the irrigation pond」
Along the bank of the irrigation pond
「Main Shrine」
Main Shrine
「The O-miki Shrine」
The O-miki Shrine
「The history of doburoku inscribed on a stone monument」
The history of doburoku inscribed on a stone monument
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思いついたらおうちの近くから。さあ出かけよう。四国の酒蔵88箇所巡礼の旅
