Firestarter, Firewater

On This Day In History
1870: Constantinople burns, killing hundreds

Quote Of The Day
"As the flames raged on, we realised that in the face of disaster, our differences mattered little .... We were all victims of the Great Fire."
(Shirley Hazzard, The Great Fire )

Isn't it interesting that so many Western monks, such as Trappist, Benedictine and Carthusian monks, are renowned for brewing various alcoholic drinks. In Japan, most shrines display large numbers of these sake barrels wrapped in straw, called kazari-daru. The sake within, and sometimes beer, is donated by breweries. The sake flows freely during various festivals and ceremonies that take place through the year.

Empty kazari-daru are often stacked into impressive walls for ornamental display.

Glitter And Ash