Sip Sake from Shohei Ohtani's Hometown

August Sake Trend's Newsletter

Discover the magic of sake with us! Were you at the JFC event? If so, you might have seen SakeTrend helping Suzuki Marketing's booth showcasing the exquisite Oh-Shu-No Ryu Sake from Iwate Meijo and Daitengu Shuzo. Cheers to tradition and flavor and want to share what we learned from that Event.

Iwate Meijo

History of Iwate Meijo - Founded in Iwate Prefecture, with a history dating back to 1858.

Nearby an attraction include the World Heritage site "Chusonji Konjikido". The area is also famous as the birthplace of Major League Baseball player Shohei Ohtani.

Additionally, the region is known for its local specialties, including Nambu Tekki (cast ironware) used by Shohei Ohtani and Maesawa beef, which has repeatedly been recognized as Japan's best.

The brewery's concept involves using only rice from Iwate Prefecture. For specially designated sake, the rice is contracted for cultivation exclusively in local farmers. By closely collaborating with local farmers, the brewery aims to be a community-focused company.

Explore the delightful world of sake with the Oh-Shu-No-Ryu series from Iwate Meijo (Oh-Shu's Dragon). Oh-Shu-NoRyu has the following Sake

• Blue Dragon - Tokubetsu Junmai
• Green Dragon - Junmai ginjyo
• Black (or Midnight) Dragon - Junmai Daiginjyo
• Red Dragon - Junmai Daiginjo (limited Baseball fan bottle)

Crafted with passion and dedication, each bottle promises an enriching experience that connects tradition with your modern lifestyle. Whatever your background or knowledge of sake, electable series invites you to savor moments of joy and harmony in every sip. Embrace the journey to becoming a sake aficionado with us—let's explore this beautiful tradition together!

What is Oh-Shu?

Oh-Shu-No-Ryu (in English Oh-shu's Dragon). Oh-Shu is from The term "Ōshū" (奥州) historically refers to a region in northern Japan that primarily encompasses the area now known as the Tōhoku region. In ancient and medieval Japan, Ōshū was one of the traditional provinces that made up the larger Mutsu Province. This region included much of what is now Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures.

Ōshū Regin is known for its rugged terrain, cold climate, and strong warrior culture. It was also the site of significant historical events, such as the rise and fall of the powerful Fujiwara clan during the Heian period (over 1,300 years ago), who built the famous Chūson-ji Temple and other cultural landmarks in Hiraizumi.

Today, the term "Ōshū" can refer to the city of Ōshū in Iwate Prefecture, but historically, it represents a broader region with deep cultural and historical significance in Japan.

What is Blue Dragon Sake?

Blue Dragon Tokubetsu Junmai is expertly crafted to perfectly complement Wagyu beef. Utilizing locally grown "Kameno-o" rice, affectionately known as "Phomtom rice," and a unique and local yeast called "Yuko's Feeling" (Japanese: "Yuko no Omoi"), this sake achieves a remarkable depth of flavor. The result is a Junmai Ginjo sake celebrated for its delicate aroma and strong fermentation character, delivering a smooth, refined taste with a harmonious blend of richness and subtlety that enhances the experience of pairing with premium Wagyu. Blue (Special (Tokubetsu in Japanese) Junmai) and Green (Junmai Ginjyo) Dragon Sake won Silver Medal in 2021 International Wine Competition in San Francisco and Black Dragon (Junmai Daingijyo) won Gold Medal in 2021, 2023 and 2024.

Why Kamono-o is called "Phomtom rice'?

Over 100 years ago, in 1893, a rice farmer named Abe Kameji discovered three healthy rice stalks at Kumagai Shrine in Yamagata Prefecture, even though most rice crops were failing due to cold weather. He took these special stalks home, researched them, and successfully developed a new rice variety. This new rice, initially called "Kamenoo," became very popular and was distributed far and wide, even making its way into sake brewing. Although it saw a decline as newer rice varieties emerged, Kamenoo got a new lease on life in the 1980s, thanks in part to its mention in the manga "Natsuko's Sake." While it was originally a staple rice, people often mistakenly think of it as a sake rice because of its brewing history.

Kame no O rice is difficult to cultivate, making it a precious variety. It is also a rice that doesn't dissolve easily, which enhances the aging process and improves the flavor of the sake. Its rich umami complements well with meat and has a clean acidity that pairs beautifully.

Iwate Meijo supports local community

At Iwate Meijo, they proudly collaborate with the same dedicated local farmers for over 30 years to source Kamonoo rice for their Blue Dragon sake. A delightful piece of trivia - Yui No Ka rice, used in crafting the exquisite Black Dragon Junmai Daiginjo, is carefully cultivated by President Oikawa's father alongside their expert Brewmaster.