02 TOJI Women!
Daitengu Shuzo
Saori Kobari
Sake is Local Culture, a Source of Energy
Saori Kobari(Manager & Toji)
Born as the eldest of three sisters at Daitengu Shuzo. After graduating from university, she worked for a company in Fukushima Prefecture. In 2014, she left her job upon getting married, joined her family's brewery, Daitengu Shuzo, and began brewing sake. She currently leads the brewery as its Toji and is also in charge of sales and managing the online shop.
Surprised by a Data-Driven Approach to Brewing
Motomiya City, with views of Mount Adatara and the gentle flow of the Abukuma River. Daitengu Shuzo, the only and smallest sake brewery in the city, is a true "local brewery," with nearly 90% of its production consumed within Motomiya. The entire volume is pressed using the "fune-shibori" method, which uses the weight of a press for a slow and gentle extraction. The Toji, Saori Kobari, was born into this brewery as the eldest of three sisters. She first tried her hand at brewing in 2014 at the age of 27. Taking the opportunity of her marriage, she left the company where she had been working and decided to help with the family business.
"I liked drinking sake, but I knew absolutely nothing about how to make it," she says. "At first, I had a casual mindset, just thinking of it as a way to help my parents."
The Daitengu Sake Essential for the Shrine's Autumn Festival
Every year, October is the busiest month for Daitengu Shuzo. As the only local sake essential for the annual autumn festival at the local Adatara Shrine, orders pour in. Saori feels a strong desire to protect her family's sake, which is in itself a part of the local culture.
"In the world today, the famous brands from major companies are considered the best. The festival was cancelled for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but I'd be happy if protecting Daitengu Shuzo could truly bring energy back to the community."
In 2017, Saori launched a new brand, "Usake" It is characterized by its sweet and sour flavor, using Fukushima's Yumenokaori sake rice and Utsukushima Yume yeast. It won a gold prize at the Fukushima Prefecture Autumn Sake Awards in its very first year.
In the early Meiji period, while preparing to found the brewery, two Tengu masks were discovered in the kura (storehouse). Taking this as a gift from the gods and a good omen, it became the origin of the name Daitengu Shuzo. The 'Daitengu Tengu Bottle' was launched in honor of this anecdote.
From left: 'Daitengu Tokubetsu Junmai,' 'Daitengu Junmai Ginjo,' 'Usake Shu Spring,' 'Usake Shu Summer,' 'Usake Shu Autumn,' and 'Usake Shu Winter.' For the 'Usake Shu' series launched by Saori, both the labels and the sake quality change with the four seasons.
CHANGE_What was your biggest turning point?
When I enrolled in the "Sake Academy." It was huge for me to be able to form new connections with people involved in sake brewing throughout the prefecture. Each class year has about 10 students, and I was also able to connect with senior and junior members.
PERSON_Who gives you energy?
The people who drink with me. It's so much fun when we're drinking. Everyone who drinks with me is a friend!
FUTURE_What is your vision for the future?
I want to create "scenes" where people can drink joyfully, such as at sake events.
- Name
- Daitengu Shuzo
- Established
- 1872
- Address
- 18 Kunawa, Motomiya, Motomiya-shi, Fukushima
- TEL
- 0243-33-2017
- Business Hours
- 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed Sundays and public holidays)
- Other
- Brewery tours are free of charge. Reservations required.