Sake and Shintoism

Sake is strongly associated with Japan. Admittedly, when we think of sake, most of us automatically think of Japan. This strong relation, however, was not always evident. In ancient times, alcoholic beverages made from rice were consumed all over Asia. Things changed with the arrival of the distillation technique in the region. Most of the so-called "rice-wines" would eventually be replaced with stronger local spirits. In Japan, however, sake strived and has been valorised to the point where it became central to Japan's identity and culture.Why did sake flourish so well in the country of the rising sun and disappear...