Naorai: The Sacred Shinto Feast of Dining with Gods
In the serene, cedar-lined precincts of a Japanese Shinto shrine, the air vibrates with the sound of clapping hands and chanting priests. A ritual has just concluded. To the casual observer, the ceremony ends when the priest bows and leaves the altar. However, in the spiritual framework of Shinto, the event is not truly complete until the participants partake in Naorai (直会).
Naorai is more than just a post-event banquet; it is a sacred communion. It represents the final stage of a Shinto ritual where priests and participants consume the food and alcohol (shinsen) that were offered to the Kami (gods). By eating the same food as the deities, humans are believed to absorb divine power and strengthen the bond between the mortal and the divine realms.
The Origins: Shinjin Kyoshoku
The concept of Naorai is deeply rooted in ancient Japanese agrarian society. It centers on the principle of Shinjin Kyoshoku (神人共食), which translates to “Gods and people eating together.”
Historically, Shinto rituals were inseparable from rice cultivation. The offerings made to the Kami primarily consisted of rice, rice cakes (mochi), salt, water, and most importantly, sake (rice wine). In ancient times, it was believed that the soul of the rice paddy dwelt within the grain. By offering the best of the harvest to the Kami and then consuming it, the community acknowledged that their sustenance was a divine gift.
The word “Naorai” itself has debated etymologies. Some scholars suggest it comes from naori-ai (meeting together), while others trace it to the verb naoru, meaning “to return to normal.” This second interpretation highlights the functional purpose of the feast: it marks the transition from hare (the sacred, extraordinary time of the ritual) back to ke (the ordinary, mundane life).
Legend and Mythology: The First Tasting
The spiritual weight of Naorai is anchored in Japan’s oldest historical texts, the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan).
One of the most significant mythological precedents is the Niiname-sai (Harvest Festival). According to legend, Amaterasu-Omikami, the Sun Goddess and supreme deity of the Shinto pantheon, bestowed the first rice plants upon her grandson, Ninigi-no-Mikoto, when he descended to rule the earth. She instructed him to grow rice and celebrate the harvest.
To this day, the Emperor of Japan, regarded as the descendant of Amaterasu, performs the Niiname-sai every November. In a secluded ceremony, the Emperor offers the new harvest to the ancestors and the Kami, and then he partakes of it himself. This is the ultimate form of Naorai—a ritual so sacred that it defines the Emperor’s role as the highest priest of the land. It is a legendary act of communion that has been replicated in shrines across Japan for millennia.
Modern Culture: From Shrines to Weddings
While the ancient rituals of the Imperial court remain hidden, Naorai is very much alive in modern Japanese society, often in forms travelers might witness without realizing the spiritual context.
The Shinto Wedding
In a traditional Shinto wedding, the bride and groom exchange cups of sake in a ritual called san-san-kudo. While this seals their vows, it is fundamentally a form of Naorai—drinking the sacred wine to unite the couple with the Kami and each other.
Groundbreaking Ceremonies
Before a new building is constructed in Japan, a Jichinsai is held to appease the earth spirits. After the priest blesses the land, construction workers, architects, and owners gather to drink a toast of Omiki (sacred sake). This toast is a simplified Naorai, ensuring safety and prosperity for the project.
Local Festivals (Matsuri)
After the energetic procession of portable shrines (mikoshi) through the streets, the bearers and organizers gather for a feast. While it looks like a rowdy party to unwind, this banquet is the closing act of the liturgy, ensuring the blessings of the festival are internalized by the community.
Traveler’s Tips: Participating in Naorai
For the culturally curious traveler, experiencing Naorai offers a window into the Japanese soul. Here is how you might encounter it and how to behave:
- The Sip of Omiki: If you pay for a formal prayer (kito) at a shrine, you will often be offered a small saucer of sake at the end. Even if you do not drink alcohol, it is polite to accept the cup and bring it to your lips as a gesture of receiving the deity’s blessing.
- Respect the Food: If you are invited to a full Naorai feast (rare for tourists unless connected to a local group), treat the food with reverence. It was technically “eaten” by the gods moments before. Wasting it is considered disrespectful.
- The Atmosphere: Note the shift in atmosphere. During the ritual, silence and stiffness prevail. Once Naorai begins, the atmosphere relaxes (naoru). It is a time for socialization and community bonding.
Sources & Further Reading
To deepen your understanding of Shinto rituals and the history of Naorai, the following texts are recommended:
- The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters): For the mythological basis of food origins and Amaterasu.
- The Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan): For detailed accounts of imperial harvest rituals.
- “Shinto: The Kami Way” by Sokyo Ono: A comprehensive guide to modern and historical Shinto practices.
- “Ritual and the Moral Order” by David S. Hall: For an academic look at the structure of Japanese rituals.