Kumamoto’s traditional Akazake and refined sake“continuing to take on new challenges and preserve the culture of sake brewing” Akazake・Refined sake / ZUIYO In Kumamoto, people drink “Akazake” as a new year’s special kind of rice wine. ZUIYO was one of the first refined sake breweries in Kumamoto to start producing refined sake as well as continuing to make Akazake. We interviewed Mr.Kentaro Yoshimura, Director. Kentaro Yoshimura Director of ZUIYO Corporation. Born in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture in 1972. After graduating from university, he worked for a company before joining ZUIYO Corporation, where he was assigned to the Tokyo branch of […]
Tasting seasonal wagashi with the five senses “If you continue for 10 years, you will be able to make skill your own” Wagashi / Kashou Tateyama Wagashi is a food culture born from the history and traditions of Japan. We interviewed Mr. Manabu Tateyama of “Kashou Tateyama” who runs a Japanese confectionery store in Kawashiri, Kumamoto City, which has flourished as a town of craftsmen since the old days. Manabu Tateyama Born in 1951, he is the owner of "Kashou Tateyama". After graduating from high school and working in Tokyo, he took over the family business. He is a member […]
Hand-stretched somen noodles like thread “I want to make Nankan Somen and Nankan Town more exciting.” Nankan somen / Saruwatari Seimenjo Nankan Somen is made in Nankan Town in the northwestern part of Kumamoto Prefecture. It is said to have a history of 250 or 300 years, and in the Edo period, it was offered by the clan to the shogunate. We interviewed Mr. Shunsuke Kanasaka who is a president of Saruwatari Seimenjo. Shunsuke Kanasaka Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1983. Worked at a hotel and an Italian restaurant, and at a soba restaurant. Learned how to make Nankan Somen […]
Soy sauce born in the castle town of Kumamoto“We keep changing to preserve the traditional taste.” Soy sauce/Hashimoto Shoyu Inc. We interviewed Mr. Yasutaka Hashimoto, the fifth generation of Hashimoto Shoyu, which was established in Shinmachi, a castle town in Kumamoto, and has been making soy sauce and miso for traditional Japanese restaurants for many years. Yasutaka Hashimoto Born in 1983. Fifth generation of Hashimoto Shoyu Inc.. After graduating from university, he worked for a food wholesale company before joining Hashimoto Shoyu Inc.. Spent about six months as a research student in the Department of Brewing at Tokyo University of […]
Delicate handicrafts created from Japanese paper and glue“I want to create products that match the times and pass them on to the next generation.” Yamaga lanterns / Nakamura seisakujo Yamaga lanterns, also called Yamaga-toro, are created using only washi paper and glue to create a three-dimensional shape.The Yamaga Lantern Festival takes place every year in August in Yamaga City. During the festival, women wear these paper-made imitation gold lanterns on their heads and dance.We interviewed Mr. Junya Nakamura, an active lantern craftsman. Junya Nakamura Born in Yamaga City,Kumamoto Prefecture in 1989. After graduating high school, After working for the Yamaga […]
Durable fan that can last 100 years”I want to bring Japanese Fans (Uchiwa) to the world.” Kutami Shibu Uchiwa / Kurikawa Shouten The “Kutami Shibu Uchiwa” has been made in Kutami, Kamoto Town in northern Kumamoto Prefecture. In Kurikawa Shouten offers products that fit today’s lifestyle while preserving traditional methods. We interviewed Ryoichi Kurikawa, fourth generation of Kurikawa Shouten. Ryoichi Kurikawa Fourth generation of Kurikawa Shouten LTD.Co. Born in Yamaga City,Kumamoto prefecture. After graduating from University, he joined Kurikawa Shouten. He is developing new products while preserving the tradition of Shibu Uchiwa. [outline] Crafts made from bamboo and paper “Kurikawa […]
Bringing Samurai’s cool fashion to the modern times“Polishing traditional techniques and continuing to challenge” Higo-Zogan / “Higo-zogan Mitsusuke” Higo-zogan started inlay designs being used to decorate gun barrels and sword guards 400 years ago in the early Edo Period.”Higo-zogan Mitsusuke”, produces items that add a new appeal to the fashion of the samurai. We interviewed the company representative,Mr.Yuji Osumi. Yuji Osumi Representative Director of Mitsusuke Co. Fourth generation.Chairman of the promotion committee. Born in 1957. After he graduated university, he worked as a company employee in Tokyo,but he quit the company, and came back to Kumamoto. He learned crafts from […]
