Japanese sake now comes in
incense form for Buddhist rituals
Apr. 6 Oona McGee, SoraNews24
In Japan, incense is often
used to help send up prayers to deceased relatives, both at the
site of their grave and at the butsudan Buddhist altar found inside
homes, and is often accompanied by offerings of food and other
small tokens signifying things that deceased loved ones used to
enjoy while they were alive.
For Tokyo-based candle and
incense maker Kameyama, the senko incense used in these rituals is
a perfect way to send up offerings of favorite food and drink to
loved ones in the afterlife at the same time. So far, they’ve
catered to the needs of past candy lovers, curry enthusiasts and
even fans of cute character Rilakkuma, with special incense sticks
specifically designed to be used while paying respects to deceased
ancestors.
Now the incense specialists
are back again, this time with a new scent that promises to be even
more popular than any of their past releases, as this one comes
with the aroma of Japanese sake. And rather than being a
collaboration with a high-end sake brewery, the new incense aims to
appeal to the masses, by using one of the country’s most well-known
and widely available brands: One Cup Ozeki.
If you’ve ever wandered
into a supermarket or convenience store in Japan, looking to pick
up a cheap, one-person serving of sake to help you kick back and
unwind, you’ve probably tried this particular brand, which offers
exactly what its name suggests: one cup of Japanese rice
wine.
First introduced to the
market as an alternative to bottled sake back in 1964, One Cup
Ozeki is a surprisingly well-balanced tipple that’s perfect for
train rides, and outdoor events like festivals and picnics, due to
its convenient size and built-in glass cup.
Given its immense
popularity, One Cup Ozeki is a brand that many have turned to on a
number of occasions, whether at home or out enjoying happy events
with family and friends. So it makes sense that dearly departed
sake lovers and their families would appreciate the sentiment
behind this new sake-scented incense.
This particular incense
blend is said to have a faint scent of sake, which can be used
every day so that those in the afterlife can enjoy a daily dose of
their favourite drink. While it’s specifically designed to pay
homage to one’s ancestors, those in the living world can reap the
benefits of using the new product as well, given that sake has a
history of being used to purify homes, and the lighting of incense
can be likened to the custom of creating sparks with a flint stone,
which is used to extinguish bad luck when a guest or family member
steps out of the family home.
The One Cup Ozeki incense
sticks can be purchased at incense stores around the country and
online for 734 yen.