88 / 93
88
SAKE
Dewatsuru (Akita Seishu)
BREWERY OVERVIEW
The story of Akita Seishu begins in 1865, when founder Jushiro Ito converted a 150-year-
old thatched roof estate into the Dewatsuru sake brewery. 5 generations later, the brewery
is still run by the Ito family. President Tatsuru Ito works closely with his son Yohei to bring
Dewatsuru’s award-winning sake to consumers in Japan and throughout the world. The
brewery’s philosophy is that “good harmony makes good sake.”
Dewatsuru translates as “crane of the Dewa region,” and it brings to mind the graceful, regal
birds of the region, showing off their plumage in the snow-covered countryside. The name
conveys the refined elegance of the Dewatsuru line of premium sake.
LOCATION OF BREWERY
The Dewatsuru brewery is located on the main island of Honshu in Japan’s Akita region. This
mountainous area is known for its heavy snowfalls, which directly affect sake production.
When the warmer weather arrives, the snow melts and creates pristine rice paddies and
clean, pure water. The snow also acts as an air purifier, filtering out any impurities that can be
harmful to the sake.
BREWING PHILOSOPHY
Akita Seishu values everything local and strives for a harmonious relationship between man
and nature. The Dewatsuru brewery is even certified to produce organic sake, one of only a
few such breweries in all of Japan. The brewery is also blessed with exceptionally soft water,
which ensures the naturally smooth taste for which Dewatsuru sake is known. Although,
working together with nature is not always easy in this frigid region in northern Japan, the
harsh winter conditions are ideal for brewing sake and contribute to the distinct, regional
flavor profiles of Dewatsuru sake.
Owned by
:
Tatsuro Ito
Master Brewer
:
Kenko Sato
Founded in
:
1865
Region
:
Akita
Country
:
Japan
Sake
:
Dewatsuru, Junmai Nigori
Dewatsuru, Kimoto Junmai
Dewatsuru, Sakura Emaki