November 14, 2013
Office of Analysis and Brewing Technology
Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau
(1) About the Tohoku Sake Awards
The Tohoku Sake Awards (Tohoku Seishu Kanpyokai) are held annually during the autumn under the auspices of the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau. The purpose of this competition is to raise the technical level of sake manufacturers in the Tohoku region (i.e., Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata and Fukushima Prefectures), thereby contributing to the sound development of the sake brewing industry in Japan.
The sake brewers of the Tohoku region are well renowned for their first-class brewing technique. Using top-quality rice, they dedicate the entirety of both their skill and effort to produce the “best sake” possible.
Sakes submitted to the Tohoku Sake Awards comprise those brewed during the previous winter and left to mature for about six months. After a stringent process including careful examination by a jury of experts, sakes of only the most prominent quality are selected. Prizes are awarded to the winning manufacturers at the commendation ceremony.
(2) Review of 2013
In 2013, a total of 401 sakes were submitted by 149 breweries and categorized based on style as either Ginjo-shu or Junmai-shu. The preliminary quality examinations were held on October 7–9, and the final quality examination was held on October 11, with 68 of the participating breweries winning prizes. Certificates were then granted to the prize winners of each category at a commendation ceremony held on November 14 by the Commissioner of the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau.
The Great East Japan Earthquake struck the Tohoku region in March 2011, and as a result, many breweries suffered severe damage. However, the disaster appeared to have had no detrimental effect on the breweries, as this years’ entries showcased superb quality that was equal to or even better than that in previous competitions. This is primarily due to the sake brewers’ unyielding will to improve their technique, even in the midst of unprecedented calamity.
(1) Qualification for entry
Licensed sake breweries located within the jurisdiction of the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau (i.e., Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata and Fukushima Prefectures)
(2) Eligible sakes
Sakes of the below-mentioned two categories that were brewed at the entrant’s own production site between July 2012 and June 2013
(3) Categories
Ginjo-shu and Junmai-shu, as stipulated in the “Labeling Standard for the Manufacturing Process and Quality of Sake” (NTA notice #8 in 1989)
(4) Maximum number of entries
Two Ginjo-shu and one Junmai-shu entry per licensed sake brewery
(1) Schedule
-Preliminary examination: October 7–9, 2013
-Final examination: October 11, 2013
(2) Process
The juries assess the quality of each sample by sensory evaluation. All examinations are blinded and administered by category. During preliminary examinations, each sample is scrutinized for distinct attributes of aroma, taste, and appearance to clarify a sensory profile. The samples are also given scores based on their overall quality. After this preliminary process, the highest scoring entries, which represent approximately half of the total entries, are selected for the final examination. During the final examination, the remaining sakes are once again judged and subsequently ranked by their overall quality. The award winners are finally determined based on the final rankings.
(3) Evaluation policy
Overall quality is determined based on the following style-based categories:
- Ginjo-shu: well-balanced flavor, characteristic aroma, and delicate taste
- Junmai-shu: refined flavor with umami (savoriness) and round texture
(4) Jury
Jurors were selected from a pool of experts, including:
- Academics in the field of sake brewing
- Staff members from the National Research Institute of Brewing (NRIB)
- Staff members from prefectural brewing-related organizations
- Sake experts/manufacturers recommended by the prefectural sake makers’ associations of the Tohoku region
- Technical officers from the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau
Name | Affiliation | Preliminary Exam | Final Exam | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ginjo-shu | Junmai-shu | |||
October 7–8 | October 9 | October 11 | ||
KATSUMI HASHIZUME | DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCE SCIENCE, AKITA PREFECTURAL UNIVERSITY | |||
TOMOAKI SAITO | AOMORI PREFECTURAL INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER | |||
YASUHITO MURANAKA | ||||
HARUO FUJIGAMORI | MOMOKAWA BREWING, INC. | |||
YOSHIHIRO HOSOKAWA | NISHIDA SHUZOTEN CO., LTD. | |||
TAKAHIRO KAWAI | ROKKA SHUZO CO., LTD. | |||
SHIGEKI NAKAYAMA | IWATE INDUSTRIAL RESERCH INSTITUTE | |||
NARUHIDE SATO | ||||
YUICHI YONEKURA | ||||
KOTARO OKUMURA | HAMACHIDORI CO., LTD. | |||
MAKOTO TAKAHASHI | HISASHI TAKAHASHI | |||
KATSUHIRO ISHII | WASHINOO CORPORATION | |||
SEIJI OYAMA | INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE, MIYAGI PREFECTURAL GOVERNMENT | |||
KENYA HASHIMOTO | ||||
KENJI ITO | MIYAGI SAKE AND SHOCHU MAKERS ASSOCIATION | |||
MOTONORI MIURA | KANENOI SHUZOU CO., LTD. | |||
KAICHIRO SAITO | KAKUBOSHI CO., LTD. | |||
TAKAHIRO HIRAI | HIRAKOU CORPORATION | |||
SEIEI WATANABE | AKITA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND BREWING | |||
TSUYOSHI OONO | ||||
HITOSHI TAKAHASHI | ||||
TADASHI KIKUCHI | AKITA SHURUI SEIZOH CO., LTD. | |||
JISHU SATO | KIMURA BREWERY INC. | |||
TAKANORI SADO | AKITASEISHU | |||
SHINPEI KUDOH | YAMAGATA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | |||
HIROYOSHI ISHIGAKI | ||||
TOSHIHITO WATARAI | WATARAI SAKE BREWING CO., LTD. | |||
MASASHI JIN | TAKAHASHI SHUZOTEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | |||
MASUMI NAKANO | DEWAZAKURA SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. | |||
NOBUHIRO KIKUCHI | AIZUWAKAMATSU TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTRE FUKUSHIMA TECHNOLOGY CENTRE | |||
KENJI SUZUKI | ||||
KEIICHI NARITA | EISEN SHUZOU CO., LTD. | |||
JUNKO KASHIWAGI | HANAHARUSHUZOU CO., LTD. | |||
NOBUHIRO HOSOI | KOKKEN BREWERY CO., LTD. | |||
HISASHI FUKUDA | NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF BREWING | |||
HIROO KONDO | OFFICE OF ANALYSIS AND BREWING TECHNOLOGY, SENDAI REGIONAL TAXATION BUREAU | |||
HAJIME MOTOMURA | ||||
JOHJI AIZAWA | ||||
RYO SAITO |
Entrants earning high scores in the final examination are awarded with an Honor Prize. Honor Prizes are limited, and only those placing in the top one-third of all entrants in each category are eligible. Among entrants receiving Honor Prizes, the “Grand Prize” is awarded to those placing first in each category, and “Special Honor Prizes” are awarding to those placing both second and third. Certificates are then granted to each of the prize winners by the Commissioner of the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau.
Prefecture | Ginjo-shu | Junmai-shu | Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Breweries | Items | Breweries | Items | Breweries | Items | |
Aomori | 14 | 27 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 39 |
Iwate | 15 | 30 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 43 |
Miyagi | 20 | 39 | 14 | 14 | 21 | 53 |
Akita | 26 | 51 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 75 |
Yamagata | 36 | 70 | 33 | 33 | 38 | 103 |
Fukushima | 32 | 58 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 88 |
Total | 143 | 275 | 126 | 126 | 149 | 401 |
Prefecture | Ginjo-shu | Junmai-shu | Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Breweries | Items | Breweries | Items | Breweries | Items | |
Aomori | 15 | 30 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 44 |
Iwate | 16 | 30 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 44 |
Miyagi | 21 | 42 | 18 | 18 | 23 | 60 |
Akita | 28 | 56 | 28 | 28 | 31 | 84 |
Yamagata | 39 | 75 | 34 | 34 | 39 | 109 |
Fukushima | 29 | 54 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 83 |
Total | 148 | 287 | 137 | 137 | 155 | 424 |
Prefecture | Ginjo-shu | Junmai-shu | Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Breweries | Items | Breweries | Items | Breweries | Items | |
Aomori | 5 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 9 |
Iwate | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Miyagi | 5 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 11 |
Akita | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 19 |
Yamagata | 11 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 14 | 22 |
Fukushima | 18 | 24 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 44 |
Total | 48 | 63 | 48 | 48 | 68 | 111 |
Prefecture | Ginjo-shu | Junmai-shu | Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Breweries | Items | Breweries | Items | Breweries | Items | |
Aomori | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Iwate | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 9 |
Miyagi | 6 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 12 |
Akita | 12 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 33 |
Yamagata | 13 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 24 |
Fukushima | 15 | 23 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 40 |
Total | 51 | 75 | 50 | 50 | 71 | 125 |
Prefecture | Brewery | Brand |
---|---|---|
FUKUSHIMA | NAGURAYAMA SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. | NAGURAYAMA |
Prefecture | Brewery | Brand |
---|---|---|
FUKUSHIMA | SHIRAISHUZOTEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | BANDAIHOU |
YAMAGATA | KOJIMASOUHONTEN CO., LTD. | TOKO |
Prefecture | Brewery | Brand |
---|---|---|
AOMORI | NISHIDA SHUZOTEN CO., LTD. | KINKAN KIKUIZUMI |
AOMORI | MIURA SHUZOU CO., LTD. | HOUHAI |
AOMORI | ROKKA SHUZO CO., LTD. | JOPPARI |
AOMORI | HACHINOHESHURUI CORPORATION GONOHE KOUJOU | JOKUU |
AOMORI | MOMOKAWA BREWING, INC. | MOMOKAWA |
IWATE | ASABIRAKI CO., LTD. | ASABIRAKI |
IWATE | HISASHI TAKAHASHI | HORINOI |
MIYAGI | HIRAKOU CORPORATION | SINZEKI |
MIYAGI | GENERAL PARTNERSHIP KAWAKEISHOTEN | KOGANESAWA |
MIYAGI | NAKAYUSHUZOTEN CO., LTD. | TENJOMUGEN |
MIYAGI | OTOKOYAMA CO., LTD. | SOUTENDEN |
MIYAGI | ISHIKOSHIJOZO CO., LTD. | SAWANOIZUMI |
AKITA | AKITA SHURUI SEIZOH CO., LTD. GOSHONOGURA | TAKASHIMIZU |
AKITA | KIKUSUISYUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | KIKUSUI |
AKITA | HINOMARUJOZO CO., LTD. | MANSAKUNO HANA |
AKITA | SAIYASHUZOTEN CO., LTD. | YUKINOBOSHA |
AKITA | HIRAIZUMIHONPO CO., LTD. | HIRAIZUMI |
AKITA | KIMURA BREWERY INC. | FUKUKOMACHI |
AKITA | RYOZEKISHUZO CO., LTD. | RYOZEKI |
YAMAGATA | OTOKOYAMASHUZO CORPORATION | UYO OTOKOYAMA |
YAMAGATA | DEWAZAKURA SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. YAMAGATA FACTORY | DEWAZAKURA |
YAMAGATA | AZUMANOFUMOTOSYUZO CO., LTD. | AZUMANOFUMOTO |
YAMAGATA | KAMENOISHUZO CO., LTD. | KUDOKIJOZU |
YAMAGATA | KOIKAWASHUZO CO., LTD. | KOIKAWA |
YAMAGATA | SAKATA SHUZO CO., LTD. | JYOKIGEN |
YAMAGATA | TOHOKUMEIJO CORPORATION | HATSUMAGO |
YAMAGATA | FUMOTOI CO., LTD. | FUMOTOI |
YAMAGATA | CHIYOKOTOBUKI TORAYA CORPORATION | CHIYOKOTOBUKI |
YAMAGATA | WADASHUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | ARATAMA GASSANMARU |
FUKUSHIMA | INAGAWA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | SITIJUUROU |
FUKUSHIMA | EISEN SHUZO CO., LTD. | EISHIRO |
FUKUSHIMA | SUEHIRO SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. HAKASEGURA | GENSAI |
FUKUSHIMA | TATSUIZUMISHUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | KYONOHANA |
FUKUSHIMA | TSURUNOESHUZO CO., LTD. | AIZUCHUJO |
FUKUSHIMA | YAMAGUCHI GENERAL PARTNERSHIP | KAISHUICHI |
FUKUSHIMA | SASANOKAWASHUZOU CORPORATION | SASANOKAWA |
FUKUSHIMA | TANIGAWASHUZO CO., LTD. | SAKAMIZUKI |
FUKUSHIMA | WATANABE SHUZOHONTEN CO., LTD. | YUKIKOMACHI |
FUKUSHIMA | GENERAL PARTNERSHIP SHIKESHUZOUTEN | MATABEY |
FUKUSHIMA | TOYOKUNISHUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | AZUMA TOYOKUNI |
FUKUSHIMA | MATSUZAKI IWAO | HIROTOGAWA |
FUKUSHIMA | OHARASHUZO CO., LTD. | CLASSIC |
FUKUSHIMA | HOMARE SHUZO CO., LTD. | AIZU HOMARE |
FUKUSHIMA | HIGASHINIHONSHUZO PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT COOPERATIVE | OKUNOMATSU |
FUKUSHIMA | KOKKEN BREWERY CO., LTD. | KOKKEN |
Prefecture | Brewery | Brand |
---|---|---|
YAMAGATA | TAKAGISHUZO CO., LTD. | JUYONDAI |
Prefecture | Brewery | Brand |
---|---|---|
FUKUSHIMA | YOSHINOGAWASHUZOUTEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | AIZU YOSHINOGAWA |
AKITA | KIMURA BREWERY INC. | FUKUKOMACHI |
Prefecture | Brewery | Brand |
---|---|---|
AOMORI | NISHIDA SHUZOTEN CO., LTD. | KINKAN KIKUIZUMI |
AOMORI | MIURA SHUZOU CO., LTD. | HOUHAI |
AOMORI | MOMOKAWA BREWING, INC. | NEBUTA |
IWATE | ASABIRAKI CO., LTD. | ASABIRAKI |
IWATE | WASHINOO CORPORATION | KURABITONOSAKE |
IWATE | HISHIYASHUZO CO., LTD. | SENRIYO OTOKOYAMA |
IWATE | NANBUBIJIN CO., LTD. | NANBUBIJIN |
MIYAGI | SAURA COMPANY, LIMITED | URAKASUMI |
MIYAGI | OTOKOYAMA CO., LTD. | SOUTENDEN |
MIYAGI | ONUMASHUZOTEN CO., LTD. | KENKONICHI |
AKITA | AKITA SHURUI SEIZOH CO., LTD. HONSHAGURA | TAKASHIMIZU |
AKITA | AKITA SHURUI SEIZOH CO., LTD. GOSHONOGURA | TAKASHIMIZU |
AKITA | ARAMASA SHUZO CO., LTD. | ARAMASA |
AKITA | FUKUROKUJU CO., LTD. | FUKUROKUJU |
AKITA | YAMAMOTO GENERAL PARTNERSHIP | SHIRATAKI |
AKITA | ASAMAISYUZO CO., LTD. | AMANOTO |
AKITA | HINOMARUJOZO CO., LTD. | MANSAKUNO HANA |
AKITA | RYOZEKISHUZO CO., LTD. | RYOZEKI |
AKITA | KARIHOSHUZO CO., LTD. | KARIHO |
YAMAGATA | DEWAZAKURA SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. | DEWAZAKURA |
YAMAGATA | DEWAZAKURA SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. YAMAGATA FACTORY | DEWAZAKURA |
YAMAGATA | KOJIMASOUHONTEN CO., LTD. | TOKO |
YAMAGATA | KAMENOISHUZO CO., LTD. | KUDOKIJOZU |
YAMAGATA | SHITARASHUZO CO., LTD. | HITOKOE |
YAMAGATA | CHIYOKOTOBUKI TORAYA CORPORATION | CHIYOKOTOBUKI |
YAMAGATA | WADASHUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | ARATAMA |
FUKUSHIMA | INAGAWA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | SITIJUUROU |
FUKUSHIMA | EISEN SHUZO CO., LTD. | EISEN |
FUKUSHIMA | SHIRAISHUZOTEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | BANDAIHOU |
FUKUSHIMA | SUEHIRO SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. KAEIGURA | SUEHIRO |
FUKUSHIMA | SUEHIRO SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. HAKASEGURA | SUEHIRO |
FUKUSHIMA | TSURUNOESHUZO CO., LTD. | AIZUCHUJO |
FUKUSHIMA | TOYOKUNI SHUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | MEOTOSAKURA |
FUKUSHIMA | NAGURAYAMA SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. | NAGURAYAMA |
FUKUSHIMA | SASANOKAWASHUZOU CORPORATION | YAMAZAKURA |
FUKUSHIMA | NIIDA-HONKE CO., LTD. | ODAYAKA |
FUKUSHIMA | WATANABE SHUZOHONTEN CO., LTD. | YUKIKOMACHI |
FUKUSHIMA | GENERAL PARTNERSHIP SHIKESHUZOUTEN | MATABEY |
FUKUSHIMA | TOYOKUNISHUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | AZUMA TOYOKUNI |
FUKUSHIMA | OHARASHUZO CO., LTD. | CLASSIC |
FUKUSHIMA | HOMARE SHUZO CO., LTD. | AIZU HOMARE |
FUKUSHIMA | YAMATOGAWASHUZOTEN | YAUEMON |
FUKUSHIMA | YUMEGOKORO SHUZO CO., LTD. | YUMEGOKORO |
FUKUSHIMA | HIGASHINIHONSHUZO PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT COOPERATIVE | OKUNOMATSU |
FUKUSHIMA | KOKKEN BREWERY CO., LTD. | KOKKEN |