SAKE BREWERY WITH LONG HISTORY
SINCE THE TENPŌ ERA Yoshino-Shuzo was established in 1830 during the Tenpō era of late Edo period.

It is said that the founder, Sajiemon started a sake brewing business as a branch family of Sagoemon in Shimoueno-mura. However, we think the family had already been brewing sake before the Tenpō era as supported by an ancient certificate-like document for sake brewing issued in 1803. while the Tenpō era followed a course of decline, Sajiemon, later renamed to Sajiro Yoshino, led to a successful family business; Therefore, he is called the restorer of Yoshino-Shuzo.

GATHERING HEARTSWhen Sajiro passed away in Meiji 25 (in 1892), his son Rinzo succeeded to the professional name of Sajiro. However, Rinzo's early death led his son Tatsuji succeed to the name Sajiro when Tatsuji was only 5 years old. The 11th generation of Sajiro, overcoming the hardships during and after the war, devoted his life for his family business until his late years. He lived out his life fully and completely to the age of 88. He is the grandfather of the current president.

“Sabishikiwa Yowa-no-kajioto Kanzukuri” is a haiku poem written by the 11th Sajiro, meaning that it sounded sad to hear the toji stirring sake during winter brewing.

JAPANESE HEART AND SOUL AND JAPANESE CULTUREWhile the 11th Sajiro was busy managing the brewery, Susumu, who later became the 12th Sajiro, was working for a trading firm after studying abroad. He was stationed in the United States, traveling around the world, to places such as Europe and Russia. After the 11th Sajiro's passing, Susumu retired from the trading firm and succeeded to the brewery as the 12th Sajiro, however it was Susumu's wife Mieko, who was more engaged than him in managing the brewery.

Like Susumu, Mieko had been interested in other countries and cultures since she was young. When she was a student, she had been hired as a interpreter for the international trade fair.

She says she often experienced culture shock while living abroad. She tried to stay sensible even to the local people as taught by her parents when she was growing up. Instead of being helpful, she was told that it wasn't her business, or was mistaken for a thief when she tried to help someone carrying a bag. She was frowned upon her handmade dish for its soy sauce smell. Needless to say, Japanese sake was not worth a second glance.

Mieko became the vice president of Yoshino-Shuzo after going back to Japan. Based on these past experiences perhaps and with her friendly and cheerful personality, she was highly engaged in the activities to increase the awareness among foreign people for Japanese heart and soul and Japanese culture.

OUR ENDEAVOR TO SPREAD KOSHIGOI
ACROSS THE WORLD
Mieko was a powerful spokeswoman who endeavored to advertise Japanese sake to the world.

“Japanese sake is a rare alcohol beverage, crafted through a much more complicated brewing process than wine or beer. I don't know of any other alcohol beverage that takes as much time and labor as Japanese sake. I would like to spread the pleasurable sake crafted with a harmony of collaborative efforts and its wonderful culture.”- That was her belief.

Her efforts include participating in the Japanese sake festival at the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C., a sake tasting event in Boston, and cultural symposiums in 3 U.S. cities on understanding Japanese heart and soul through sake.

By carrying on my parent's passion, I would like to keep spreading Koshigoi across the world.