Japanese Sake

Since its founding in 1872, Kumazawa Brewing Company, the only sake brewery in Shonan, Kanagawa, has been dedicated to crafting high-quality sake through handcrafted, small-batch methods that reflect the unique climate and character of the Shonan region.

The name of their sake label, “Tensei,” is inspired by an ancient Chinese proverb from the Five Dynasties period. An emperor of the Later Zhou Dynasty described the ideal color of celadon porcelain with the phrase “The rain has passed through the sky and the clouds have broken through” (雨過天青雲破処), referring to the clear, vivid blue of the sky after the rain, as the clouds begin to disperse. Inspired by this legendary hue, the brewery strives to create sake under the “Tensei” label that embodies the same refreshing clarity and richness.

To mark its 140th anniversary, Kumazawa Brewing Company is leading the “Sake Rice Project,” an initiative that bridges the region’s rich traditions with its future. Known for excellent rice cultivation since the Yayoi period, the area saw many rice fields abandoned due to post-war land reforms and agricultural policies that separated rice farming from sake brewing.

In response, the brewery has partnered with local farmers, listening to the land’s needs, and revived the tradition of making sake from locally grown rice. The aim is to produce sake unique to the region while preserving the beautiful rural landscape for future generations.

Today, 35% of the rice used in their sake comes from their own harvest, giving the sake a distinctive and unmatched quality. By maintaining consistent brewing practices, they aim to fully utilize the rice grown in this land.

As the sole sake brewery in Shonan, Kumazawa Brewing Company is committed to reclaiming abandoned farmland and continues to work towards producing sake with locally sourced rice. This effort is vital for supporting the community’s future, and the brewery is dedicated to pursuing this mission.