Daitengu Daiginjo
The only sake brewery in Motomiya City, with a continued commitment to local ingredients.
In Motomiya City, near the very heart of Fukushima Prefecture, an old smokestack stands tall before JR Motomiya Station. This is the marker for a brewery founded in 1872, now the last remaining sake brewery in the city. It's a place built on a deep commitment to local ingredients and the faithful protection of traditional flavors.
Their story begins with the rice, grown exclusively by contract farmers right here in Motomiya. The water, just as vital, is drawn from the clear subsoil streams of Raijin Shimizu, a spring that flows from the region's famed peak, Mt. Adatara. This dedication to local elements, crafted by hand in small batches, results in a sake with a famously dry and invigoratingly refreshing taste.
Their bond with the community is further strengthened by their enthusiastic adoption of ingredients developed right here in Fukushima, like the 'Yumenokaori' sake rice and the 'Utsukushima Kirameki yeast'. This combination shines in their popular 'Daitengu Tokubetsu Jummaishu', a sake celebrated for its wonderfully fruity aroma and a flavor that is both brilliant and distinct.
But the most captivating part of their story might be the origin of their name. The company wasn't always a brewery; it once operated a warehousing business. When they made the pivot to sake brewing, they discovered two old wicker trunks (the kind used for clothes and documents) that had been left in their care, unclaimed. Upon opening them, they found a tengu mask. They saw this as a gift from the gods, an auspicious sign for their new venture, and so named their brewery 'Daitengu'. "We want to continue moving forward," says fourth-generation president Shigetoshi Ito, "while always protecting our traditions."
Daitengu Shuzo
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Welcome! 🐈 It's me, Fukuneko!
Lately, I've been seeing a lot more spring sake in the shops, meow~! 😽🌸
Today, I want to introduce you to the amazing women who are active as brewmasters and brewery leaders in Fukushima! 😺
▶︎ For more details, check the link in our profile, or click right here, meow! https://www.fukunosake.com/newwave-02-03
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Let me know how you feel in the comments with an emoji! 😸
Female brewmasters are awesome! → ❤️
I want to tell my friends! → 🙌
I want to know more! → 🔥
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Saori Kobari, the manager and Toji (head brewmaster) at Daitengu Shuzo, was born as the eldest of three sisters at this very brewery. 👶
In 2014, at the age of 27, she left her job upon getting married to join her family's brewery and take on the challenge of sake brewing. 🍶
Saori says that at first, she started with the simple intention of helping her parents out.
However, deciding to commit fully, she enrolled in the "Sake Academy" that April. There, she was inspired by her classmates and teachers, amazed by the precision of data-driven brewing, and found a renewed determination to master the craft! 💪
In 2017, Saori launched her very own new brand, "Usake"! ✨
Its special feature is that the sake's quality and label change with each of the four seasons. 🍶💡
The label's motif is a rabbit, which is a symbol of good luck, meow! 🐇🌟
🏘 Daitengu Shuzo @daitengu2017
📍 18 Kunawa, Motomiya, Motomiya City, Fukushima Prefecture
Every October, the brewery receives many orders for their sake as it is the only local brand essential for the autumn festival at the Adachitara Shrine. Sadly, the festival was canceled for three years during the pandemic. 😿
"Local sake is like the energy of the land itself," Saori says. "I hope that by protecting Daitengu Shuzo, we can help make Motomiya vibrant again."
In recent years, they have also been hosting online sake events, meow! 😺🎉
Let's continue to create many fun "occasions" to enjoy sake by cherishing these wonderful connections! 😺✨
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