“For centuries, the town has been famous for large, fragrant plums that appear in the early summer. In one orchard there was a tree that blossomed at the cusp of spring, braving the cold and snow that still lay upon the ground. This lone blossom that stood out so vividly became the origin for the name of our sake, Koshi no Kanbai. We have always maintained a local focus, and have strived to make sake that encouraged the local farmers. We started from humble beginnings, and even during times of adversity, we went to great lengths to brew precisely the kind of sake that we enjoyed, and that those in our local community – with whom we shared values and culinary culture – also enjoyed. Economic growth and profit were not our main priorities.”