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.
Booking Essential | Admission Free
