Sake Artisan’s Perspective: The Singular Existence That Borders on Artistry

This reality, while a fundamental truth we should never forget, often seems overlooked amidst the constructs of modern society that humans have erected.

Yet, even in such times, artistry itself – whether consciously or subconsciously – offers us new insights and perspectives, subtly influences each individual's life and society.

In this case, ‘KUROKOHAKU’ embodies the intersection of nature, vibrant culture, and masterful craftsmanship – a miraculous spectacle born amidst the backdrop of Shirataka Town.

Aged to perfection over many years, our precious sake has ascended to a level of rarity and refinement unmatched by any other.

Crafted from cedar harvested from the primeval forests, our wooden casket exudes a rugged yet majestic aura.

Forged by the harsh cold of winter, the washi paper boasts an elegant resilience.

Encountering KUROKOHAKU evokes an overwhelming sense of presence – a manifestation of nature transcending mere logic. Such a creation cannot be rushed; it is the culmination of the ages, shaped by Shirataka's accumulated essence over countless years.

Consider the precious sake slumbering in the brewery for nearly half a century, KUROKOHAKU emerges as a unique libation with an unparalleled aroma and flavor.

Delving into the miraculous convergence of ingredients – the pristine spring water, the rice, the fermenting microbes – one inevitably uncovers the secret of serendipitous encounters, rooted in the volcanic activity of Mount Shirataka a million years ago, which bestowed Shirataka's soil with its rich fertility.

To interact with the creation born of nature's hand, to experience and encounter the story of sake, natural cedar, and washi paper – all brought together in Shirataka through human intervention – is to touch the core of KUROKOHAKU.

If the spring water had dried up, if the rice harvest had failed, if, in the past, the precious sake had been sold out, then this sake, as it exists here and now, would not be. In fact, even a slight alteration in its placement within the brewery might have resulted in a different flavor. Japanese sake stands atop such delicate nuances, embodying an artistry that transcends time.

The natural cedar, embodying nature within its wooden form, has been shaped by Shirataka's environment, revealing an overwhelming fragrance, meticulously crafted by the mastery hands of wood artisan Nakagawa Shuji.

The Miyama Washi, facing the risk of a fading legacy, perseveres today thanks to the efforts of the people of Shirataka.

The raw, unfiltered essence of Shirataka, manifested in these creations, arises from the orchestrated symphony of encounters and expressions, shaped uniquely by this moment in time, impervious to the machinations and calculations of humanity.

In surrendering to the uncertain, to nature's whims, humans can rediscover their true essence.

What truly matters to oneself? Why have you held those beliefs? It's a chance to reassess one's current position and contemplate the future. Sometimes, it may lead to the realization that "the current self might be slightly different from the self one once sought”.

Why does such consciousness arise when confronting nature?

Perhaps because you and I, indeed all of humanity, are but a part of the same ‘nature’.