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Shinsen
Offerings of foods given up to Shinto shrines or kamidana in Japan / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Shinsen (神饌, literally "god" + "food offering") are offerings of foods given up to Shinto shrines or kamidana in Japan.
![Shinto Shinsen](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Shinto_Shinsen.jpg/640px-Shinto_Shinsen.jpg)
The annual festivals carried out at different times of the year originated from Shinto rituals and festivals. As part of the ritual, locals would offer up food that had received a special blessing to welcome the kami ("gods" or "spirits").
Food offered up could range from their staple of rice to seafood, food foraged from the mountains, seasonal foods, local specialties, or food connected to the enshrined kami. At the end of the ritual, the offered food is eaten together to gain a sense of unity with the kami, and to gain their blessing and protection. The rite is known as naorai.