Message

Thank you very much for your interest in our Saka-Gura, OFUKU SHUZO.
I am Yoshikazu Nakano, Toji of OFUKU SHUZO and have been engaged in sake production for 50 years.
OFUKU SHUZO was formerly started under the name of “KISHIGORO SHOTEN(shop)” by the founder, Goro Kishi in September in 1897. The Saka-Gura (brewery) is located 5 kilometers southeast of the center of Nagaoka city on the foot of Nagaoka Higashiyama mountain range full of abundant forest and cool and clear natural spring water.

In 1894, Goro Kishi published a technical book on sake production which is known the first in Japan, “Jokaishugyoku”. It was said at the time to be Japan’s first bible for sake production explaining about sake production from a scientific point of view when it used to depend on Tojis’, brew masters’ intuition. Firstly, his research on processing of water for brewing made it possible to produce sake using soft water. Secondly, his technique of “addition of lactic acid to shubo, yeast mash” made possible the exclusion of wild yeast and the pure culture of proper yeast. As it consequently made it possible to prevent sake from rotting, it was called a great invention in the sake brewing industry. These techniques were later named “Sokujomoto” and are still used in many breweries.
The original book of “Jokaishugyoku”, which our founder, Goro Kishi had put all his techniques into escaped from the fire of the wars and has been retained in the National Library. Although more than one century has passed since the publication of “Jokaishugyoku”, we, OFUKU SHUZO, bearing in our mind that we started from this “Jokaishugyoku”, has been carrying out our tradition, “Sake production should come first” since the foundation.
Our main brand “OFUKU MASAMUNE” was named in the hope that the more you drink, the more happiness it will bring to you. Another representative brand of ours is “YAMAMOTO ISOROKU”. As you may know, Isoroku Yamamoto from Nagaoka city of Niigata prefecture was the commander of the combined fleet of Imperial Japanese Army. Through the discussion with Nagaoka city, we have come to use the name “YAMAMOTO ISOROKU” as our sake’s brand name. We strive to keep producing good sake to deserve his name.
Our motto is “Harmony creates good sake.” In producing sake, teamwork is one of the most important elements. A small lack of oral communication would disturb the teamwork and consequently would have an unfavorable influence on the taste of sake. Therefore, we always put high value on teamwork with the motto in our mind.

My remaining role is to initiate my next generation into sake production techniques. OFUKU SHUZO wants to convey the words “the more you drink our sake, the more happiness will come to you”. I expect that my successors will continue to brew our sake with sincere hope that our sake will bring more happiness to our customers.