During the Meiji Period (1868-1912) a policy of "Japanese Spirit and Western Culture" was adopted, to learn form the best of Western culture while keeping Japan's age old spirit and traditions. Emperor Meiji led the way in promoting modernization by embracing many features of western culture in his personal life. An example was taking western food and enjoying wine with it.
These barrels of wine to be conscacrated at Meiji Jingu come from Bourgogne (France) and have been offered by Mr. Yasuhiko Sata, honorary citizen of Bourgogne and owner of the Chateau de Chailly Hotel-Golf.