Discover the people and culture behind sake brewing in this talk, tasting and live performance of sake brewing songs presented by sake professionals from the Nadagogō Brewers Association.

For centuries, sake brewing in Japan has been guided by the tōji (master brewer) system, a hierarchical division of labour rooted in close master-apprentice relationships. In Nadagogō, brewing was led by the highly skilled Tamba tōji, who oversaw teams of brewery workers and played a central role in the development of the region’s sake industry.

Integral to this culture were the sake-brewing songs sung by the brewers as they worked. The songs were used for timekeeping during various tasks in place of clocks and to boost the morale of workers. Though now less common with mechanization, they remain an enduring symbol of the brewers’ craft and community.

At this event, sake brewer Takahashi Toshinari, Director and Head of Production at Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewing Co., Ltd., introduces the tōji system and the role of the Tamba tōji in Nadagogō, after which he is joined by Nakano Masaru, cooper and Head of the Woodworking Team at Kenbishi Sake Brewing Co., Ltd, for a performance of sake-brewing songs.

The event includes an opportunity to ask questions to the speakers and concludes with a tasting of sake from Nadagogō.

Programme:

15:00–16:15: Talk and Demonstration

16:15–17:00: Tasting

The event series is presented as part of the Spotlight on Local Japan Programme, organized in collaboration with JNTO, which accepts applications from potential collaborators based in Japan to co-create cultural events presenting Japan’s regional diversity at Japan House London.

Please note that guests must be at least 18 years of age to participate in tasting of alcoholic drinks.

Japan House London operates a Challenge 25 policy; guests who look under 25 will be asked to show proof of age.

Japan House London reserves the right to refuse to serve alcohol to guests. Please drink responsibly. Visit drinkaware.co.uk for more information.

Please note that filming and / or photography may take place at this event. Photos and footage of the event may then be used to promote Japan House London, helping more people to discover what we offer. If you have any concerns, please contact us online or contact a member of the team on site.

About the speakers

Takahashi Toshinari

Takahashi Toshinari is Chairperson of the GI Management Committee, Director, Head of Production, and Director of the General Research Institute at Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewing Co., Ltd. Since joining in 1994, he has led research on brewing microorganisms and sake production. His achievements have been recognized with the Biotechnology Technology Award from The Society for Biotechnology, Japan (2015) and the Encouragement Award from the Brewing Society of Japan (2017). Takahashi is also the supervising editor of The Science of Japanese Sake (Kodansha), which explores the appeal of sake from a scientific perspective.

Nakano Masaru

Nakano Masaru is Head of the Woodworking Team at Kenbishi Sake Brewing Co., Ltd. With 29 years of experience in straw mat wrapping for sake barrels and 14 years as a cooper, he plays a central role in maintaining and creating the wooden tools essential to sake brewing. His work includes the repair and production of barrels and other equipment used at Kenbishi, as well as fulfilling requests from other brewing companies for barrels used in producing sake, soy sauce, miso and vinegar.

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Booking Essential| Admission Free