Spring Sake

Brands of sake honor the blossom — Look for sakura in the name

While the sakura (flowering cherry) is revered as a sacred tree, before the Heian period (794-1185) another blossom enjoyed top billing: The ume (plum), which had been introduced from China, was most valued by intellectuals. In fact, in Japanese poetry the word hana (flower) was understood to mean the ume blossom. Later, the elegance of sakura touched the hearts of the nobility and people began to compose poetic praises while sitting under cherry blossoms.

During the Edo period (1603-1867) sakura trees were planted all over the capital. Soon cherry-blossom viewing became one of the most popular activities of spring, a tradition that continues to this day. Profound adoration of the cherry blossom has led to use of the word sakura as a prefix in the names of many sake brands particularly associated with spring cuisine. Here we introduce several. Label designs suggest the strong pride each brewery takes in its ode-to-spring sake.

from left to right: Iwate Sakuragao - Daiginjo (super-premium sake) has refreshing fragrance and delicate flavor. The bottle is Imari. Sakuragao Sake Company / Morioka; Iwate; 019-622-6800 Yusura - Brewery is run by 56th-generation master. Fruity, elegant taste is also popular abroad (it is on the wine list of New York's hot Jean George restaurant). Sudo-honke / Nishi-Ibaraki-gun, Ibaraki; 0296-77-0152 Iwate Sakuragao - Black-bottled version of the regular type. Also brewed by Sakuragao Sake Company. Miyo-zakura - Name metaphorically expresses perfect harmony between the five senses and the five tastes, exemplified in five-petaled cherry blossoms. Miyo-zakura Sake Company / Minokamo; Gifu; 0574-25-3428 Dewa-zakura-honnama - This dry sake with a mild fragrance goes extremely well with meals. The 300-ml bottle is convenient. Dewa-zakura Sake Company / Tendo; Yamagata; 023-653-5121

	Kumagaya-zakura This sake was named after the early blossoming Kumagaya cherry tree, harbinger of spring. Established in 1850, the brewery uses an original yeast from Saitama and local rice. Gonda Sake Company Kumagaya; Saitama 048-532-3611			Mizakura Using select domestic rice, this company is mainly famous for soft-flavored sake. Hokkan Sake Company Tochigi; Tochigi 0282-27-9570			Konohana-sakura This sake is named after a rare variety of mountain cherry planted on the site of Kameoka Castle. Company preserves traditional hand-brewing methods. Seki Sake Company Kameoka; Kyoto 0771-22-0056
	Kizakura From one of Japan's leading breweries, a company dedicated to making crisp, refreshing types of sake. Kizakura Sake Brewing Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 075-611-4101			Miyama-zakura The name means "cherry blossoms in the deep mountains." The sake is brewed in the crisp, clear air and bitter cold of the mountains. It has a mellow, graceful taste. Furuya-shuzo-ten Brewery Saku; Nagano 0267-67-2153			Oboro-sakura This sake tastes best when served chilled or on the rocks. Nonpasteurized, it is meant to be served cold, or warmed just to lukewarm temperature. Kawabata Sake Company Tsu; Mie 059-232-2044
	Hatsu-zakura Brewery established in 1915 maintains traditional brewing methods while seeking new sake challenges. Sakurada Sake Company Suzu; Ishikawa 0768-82-0508			Sakura-fubuki The name describes cherry-blossom petals scattered in the wind. It has hints of rich, sweet flavors behind a crisp, smooth taste. Rather dry, it is easy on the palate. Kanemitsu Sake Company Kamo-gun, Hiroshima 0823-82-2006

	Sakura-musume The name connotes an image of a young girl with beauty as delicate as cherry blossoms. Taste is light, smooth, mild. Tsuchiya Sake Brewery Komae; Tokyo; 03-3489-4753			Kiyosu-zakura Founded in 1853, this brewery utilizes select rice suitable for natural brewing without additives. Kiyosu-zakura-jozo Brewery Kiyosu, Aichi; 052-409-2121
	Nioi-zakura Named after a well-known cherry tree planted in the precinct of a local shrine, the sake has a rather sweet taste. Toyoda Sake Company Toyota; Aichi; Tel. 0565-32-0110			Hatsu-sakura Pure, unfiltered well water is used to produce this sake, which is moderately sweet with little acidity. Yasui-shuzo-jo Brewery Koka-gun, Shiga; 0748-67-0027
	Katano-sakura This sake was named after Katano, a spot famous for cherry-blossom viewing since the Heian period. Traditionally hand-brewed, it has a moderately sweet, crisp flavor. Yamano Sake Company Katano; Osaka; 072-891-1046			Sakuragi Though rather dry, it has subtle sweetness with a full-bodied taste. Seko Sake Company Koka-gun, Shiga; 0748-88-2102
	Taihei-sakura The name of this sake signifies "cherry blossoms of a peaceful world." It is characterized by a generous, full flavor. Taihei Sakura Sake Company Iwaki; Fukushima; 0246-43-2053			Aizu-sakura Also available under the same brand name is a sake made from an ancient strain of rice that results in a red color. Bandai Sake Company Yama-gun, Fukushima; 0242-73-2002
	Azakura Three types of sake are produced under the same brand name. Brewed only at the coldest time of year in Akita Prefecture, each has its own, unique characteristics. Azakura Sake Company Yokote; Akita; 0128-32-0126			Kume-zakura Founded at the end of the Edo period, the brewery named its sake after cherry blossoms at the site of Kume Castle. Kume-zakura Sake Company Daisen-shuzo-jo Brewery Saihaku-gun, Tottori; 0859-68-6555
	Tama-zakura Made from select local rice and pure well water, this sake has a delicate flavor. Tamazakura Sake Company Ochi-gun, Shimane; 0855-83-0015			Shunyo-zakura The name expresses the brewer's desire that this sake be enjoyed while viewing cherry blossoms. It has a delicately sweet, soft taste. Yoneda Sake Company Matsue; Shimane; 0852-22-3232
	Seigi-zakura Established in the second year of the Bunsei era (1819), this brewery continues to produce dry, crisp sake. Seigi-zakura Sake Company Kurashiki; Okayama; 086-455-8701			Ohoretsu The name of this sake suggests a rich fragrance that's easy to enjoy. This brewery's sake is characterized by refined, sweet taste. Horetsu Sake Company Jobo-gun, Okayama; Tel. 0866-57-2003
	Mukai-zakura This sake is made from select local rice called Shinsenbon. Mukaihara Sake Company Takata-gun, Hiroshima; 0826-46-2008			Hatsu-sakura Brewed without additives, this sake is appropriately sweet and mild. Hatsu-sakura Sake Company Ito-gun, Wakayama; 0736-22-0005
	Kin-zakura The name means "golden cherry blossoms." The brewery, established in the Edo period, produces sake with a light, sweet taste. Yatsuzuka-honke Sake Company Naka-gun, Wakayama; 0736-73-2008

Articles from the 2004 SPRING issue:

• Spring Sake
• Architectural Alchemy: Toshiko Mori - H-Sang Seung - Kengo Kuma - Yung Ho Chang
• Hello Kitty - The Empress of Cute: Hello Kitty at 30 - Sanrio Puroland
• Japanese Antiques: Tansu Chests - Porcelain & Lacquerware - Woodblock Prints, Folding Screens & Scrolls - Textiles & Kimono - Antique Shops in Tokyo & Kyoto
• Tokyo Street Fashion

Kateigaho International Edition Issues:

2005 SUMMER - 2005 SPRING - 2005 WINTER

2004 AUTUMN - 2004 SUMMER - 2004 SPRING - 2004 WINTER

2003 AUTUMN - INAUGURAL ISSUE