Daiginjo Yamada Nishiki
The goodness of Aizu is the goodness of its sake. A sake that brings a sense of peace the more you drink.
The history of Hanaharu Sake Brewery began in 1718. On a corner by the Tennenji Gate, part of the eastern outer moat of Tsurugajo Castle, Kyuemon Izutsuya founded the brewery, using underground water drawn from the very same vein as the castle's own well. Under the brand name "Ten Masamune," his sake was shipped not only throughout Aizu but also to neighboring domains, where it was widely cherished.
Tragedy struck during the Boshin War (1869), famed for the Byakkotai (White Tiger Force). The brewery was consumed by the flames of war and burned to the ground. While the people were devastated and stricken with grief, Izutsuya moved swiftly to rebuild the brewery and resume production. He also changed the brand's name to "Hanaharu." The name was inspired by the classical Chinese poem "Kakai Shukoku Shun" (Flowers bloom, the sake kingdom is in spring), embodying a profound wish "to restore the brightness of flowers and the peace of spring to the hearts of the people."
In this land, enveloped by mountains and blessed with the fine water, superior rice, and ideal climate essential for brewing, they continue to craft sake under the slogan, "The goodness of Aizu is the goodness of its sake." They adhere strictly to in-house rice polishing and low-temperature fermentation, creating a sake that instills a growing sense of tranquility the more one drinks.
Its flavor is defined by a "gentle aroma, a soft mouthfeel, a clean taste, and a smooth finish." In this storied brewery, boasting over three centuries of tradition, the brewers (kurabito) work as one under the direction of a female toji (master brewer), brewing sake deeply rooted in the Aizu terroir.
Hanaharu Sake Brewery
🐾 Welcome, welcome! 🐈 It's me, Fukuneko! Lately, I've been enjoying winter to the fullest, sipping sake while watching the snow. It's the best, meow! ☃️🍶
Today, I'm going to introduce you to the amazing women of Fukushima who are active as Toji (master brewers) and brewery owners! 😺 ▶︎ Check the link for more details, nyan! https://www.fukunosake.com/newwave-02-05
Tell me how you feel with an emoji, purrlease! 😸
Women brewers are awesome! → ❤️
Want to share with friends! → 🙌
Want to know more! → 🔥
Today's star is Ms. Junko Kashiwagi, the Director of the Production Department and Toji at Hanaharu Sake Brewery in Aizuwakamatsu City.
When she joined the company in 1993, all the brewery workers (kurabito) were men, and it was an environment where women couldn't be involved in sake brewing. But when she first stepped into the brewery, she was captivated by the sake-making process and thought, "I absolutely want to do this job!" She held onto that secret passion, and in her 10th year, she was finally assigned to the production department she'd longed for. Then, in 2007, she was appointed Toji! Her determination paved the way for her to become a master brewer, meow... 😿✨
And get this! In the sake tasting tests at the "Seishu Academy" (Sake Academy), Ms. Kashiwagi already had a 90% correct-answer rate in her first year and got a perfect score for three consecutive years! 🥇 They say that record still hasn't been broken... She's a natural-born sake taster, nya! 😼🍶
🏘 Hanaharu Sake Brewery @hanaharu_8786 📍 24-1 Aza Kominomae, Oaza Nakashigo, Kozashi-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Her main brands are drawing a lot of attention for their outstanding quality, nyan! 🍶 There's "Amamiya," which is all handmade in small batches; "Hanaharu Yamada Nishiki Junmai Daiginjo," which was fully renewed last year; and "Yume no kanade Junmai Daiginjo," which is fruity and packed with umami.
I'm so excited to see what kind of sake Toji Junko Kashiwagi will create as she builds a new era for Hanaharu Sake Brewery! 😺
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