6th: Jozan Shuzo Goshi Kaisha (Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture)

Brewery Interviews

Engaging in dialogue with drinkers through sake

Founded in 1804, the first year of the Bunka era in the Edo period

A kuramoto located in the heart of Fukui Prefecture. It's easily accessible,

so please be sure to stop by when you visit Fukui Prefecture.

The website is here

Interviewee: President Yukiko Jozan (hereafter, Jozan)

Interviewer: bien's Ayako Yoshida (hereafter, bien)

bien: Thank you for inviting me to the kura after we met yesterday at the Jizake Brand Promotion Liaison Meeting!

I apologize for intruding so early in the morning while you're busy brewing.

As the 8th-generation female president, you're protecting the kura together with your son, aren't you?

As a sake brewery, what do you want to convey to the general public?

Jozan: I want to convey the "spirit" of being Japanese.

Tradition isn't something easily achieved; it's a spirit passed down through the generations.

I want to convey the goodness of craftsmanship.

bien: The "spirit" of being Japanese, the tradition of craftsmanship. You're absolutely right.

So, as one of those traditional crafts, what do you think sake is?

Jozan: I think it's something only the Japanese can make.

The delicacy and refinement of spirit and soul are unique to the Japanese, don't you think?

bien: I see—indeed, sake making is only possible because of that delicacy.

Within that delicate brewing, what do you hold most dear?

Jozan: Not being dishonest, I suppose. I put my heart into everything. Making the labels is important too.

I work on every step while picturing the smiles of the people who will drink it.

bien: Yes, those feelings do reach the consumer.

Going forward, what kind of sake making and what kind of brewery does Jozan Shuzo aim to be?

Jozan: Without forgetting the spirit of omotenashi (hospitality), I want to always provide an unwavering sense of stability.

bien: An unwavering sense of stability—that's important not just in sake making! I agree.

I too want to keep striving toward the spirit of omotenashi and an unwavering sense of stability.

Thank you for your kind hospitality despite my sudden visit.

The interview with toji Shinpei Jozan is here