2017.02.25

Our shochu offers a uniquely aromatic and mellow but flavorful taste

Our brewery was established in 1823. The founder was Tokiji Fukano, originally from Kurume in Fukuoka Prefecture. Kurume has a deep history as a historical vending place for feudal lords and merchants. It is said that for the purchasing of rice he traveled often to Hitoyoshi (at that time of the Sagara clan), and on these trips he began to notice Hitoyoshi Basin’s bountiful rice, fine quality water, and the moderately cool climate of the winter. At the same time, the Sagara clan was apparently encouraging the production of shochu and refined sake. Therefore, the story goes, Fukano moved here with his family.

The current owner, Seiichi Fukano, is the seventh generation head of the brewery. Thanks to our loyal customers, 2017 marks 194 years since our establishment.

■ Quality over quantity
Behind Fukano Sake Brewery, there are artificial gutters that are said to have already existed 400 years ago. It is under 7km to the historical Sagara clan’s suburban residence, while the white flowers of the rare Japanese “himebaikamo” plant are in bloom from July to August and sway on the water’s surface.

Both “people” and “things” preserve tradition. But era by era we alter the taste of our sake little by little, fusing both tradition and advancement.

At our completely hand-crafted brewery built 150 years ago and lined with handmade earthenware pots, various “brewery sounds” can be heard when it comes to the season of preparing ingredients. The sound of the vapor steaming the rice, the sound of the rice being transferred to the earthenware pots, the comfortable sound of fermentation that could almost be mistaken for falling rain, the sound of distillation, the sound of the sake being bottled. The brewers identify the subtle differences in sounds, and quietly and precisely complete the processes. Their backs embody and display a tension and aura that rejects direct speech. It makes one believe that in every era high quality products are born out of “stubbornness.”

Our brewery is open for sightseeing and you can also sample some of our sake on-site, including our treasured sake that has been carefully made to mature for 10 years in our earthenware pots. We are concerned not only with the production of our sake but the spirit with which we humbly offer it to each of our customers.