In the tale of KUROKOHAKU, we are transported into the boundless domain of nature, where human control holds no sway.
Nature, bestowing upon us its immeasurable blessings, has inspired awe and reverence in humanity since ancient times. Reverence, in its essence, encompasses both fear and admiration, urging us to hold this fundamental aspect of existence in utmost regard. Could there be a more vital lesson for humanity to learn?
Moreover, it is the miraculous workings of nature that often lead us to encounters beyond our wildest imaginations.
One such extraordinary encounter awaits us in the Tohoku region of Michinoku.
Nestled in Shirataka Town of Yamagata Prefecture, encompassed by the Asahi mountain range to the east and west, this basin is traversed by the revered ‘Mogami River’, affectionately known as the ‘Mother River of Yamagata’. Rainfall on the mountains, enriched within the layers of the earth, finds its way to the Mogami River – a process believed to have spanned over a million years.
Further still, within the encircling mountains lies the volcano known as ‘Mount Shirataka’. While it now presents itself as a modestly elevated mountain, approximately a million years ago, it stood as a colossal volcanic mass, erupting with vigor. The ultimate endeavor of life itself, volcanic activity played a profound role in sculpting the remarkably fertile soil of Shirataka. It's a narrative that's not hard to fathom.
Shirataka, a landscape where a million years of natural processes converge into its rich essence. Emerging from this sacred land in the modern era is something profound.
Its name is ‘KUROKOHAKU’.
Enshrined within an exquisitely crafted wooden casket, evoking both ruggedness and divinity, rests a delicate washi wrapping cradling aged sake. What it communicates to us is nothing short of ‘Shirataka's essence’ itself.
The wooden wine casket, hewn from cedar sourced from Shirataka's pristine forests, thrives amidst the region's relentless cycles of scorching summers and freezing winters. Its cedar, exceptionally robust, carries within it an overwhelmingly rich fragrance.
The washi, ‘Miyama Washi’, crafted from the paper mulberry (kozo) trees tempered by Shirataka's winter chill, belies its traditional appearance with a strength that's anything but conventional.
And within this precious vessel lies sake, born from the rice of ‘Sawanohana’, once abundant in Shirataka, nurtured by the spring water shaped by the magnificent Asahi mountain range, and refined over time by Shirataka's atmospheric embrace. With its overwhelming fragrance and delicate yet elegant flavor, this sake possesses a charm unmatched by any other.
Our sake exudes the very essence of nature. Its form, texture, and everything altogether evoke contemplations of Shirataka's natural magnificence. To partake in this sake, to encounter it, is not merely an act of savoring its exquisite taste but also an opportunity to connect with the unwavering grandeur of nature.
Embrace within your heart reverence for all living beings, remembering the past, giving thanks for the present, and living with purpose for the future.
Such sentiments are evoked by KUROKOHAKU. We invite you to savor, with all your senses, the terroir of Shirataka, distilled through a million years of nature's artistry.
