We braced for the complete loss of moromi (sake mash) during fermentation

Immediately after the earthquake, the intense shaking caused the fermenting moromi to overflow from the tanks. The floor was covered, creating a scene so surreal it was as if a white carpet had been laid out. The overflowing moromi turned into a mist, filling the air and obscuring the back of the brewery, making me doubt what I was seeing. Then, a sound unlike anything I had ever heard echoed through the brewery, perhaps from the overflowing moromi itself, sounding like the moromi's scream, filling me with an indescribable sense of dread.

The building was damaged in numerous places, making access difficult. Simultaneously, lifelines were cut, preventing us from managing the sake undergoing fermentation. Helpless, we could only watch with dismay. A week passed with no prospect of recovery, and we resigned ourselves to the complete loss of the fermenting moromi. However, in the second week after the earthquake, with the partial restoration of lifelines such as electricity, the day finally came to salvage the moromi we had almost given up on and turn it into sake. Yet, the prolonged period of neglect made us deeply concerned about the quality of the sake that would be pressed from the tap.

That sake was incredibly robust and full of life...

However, contrary to our worries, the sake was incredibly robust and full of life, giving us courage and hope. In normal sake brewing, we strive to create the best possible sake, but this sake offered a profound sense of emotion that is not found in our everyday brewing.

Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, where our brewery is located, suffered devastating damage in this earthquake. Naturally, our company also sustained immense damage. Yet, seeing the devastated state of Ishinomaki City after the disaster, we could not help but feel strongly that we had truly been spared. We were keenly reminded of a sense of gratitude that we could not perceive in our daily lives, and a desire to contribute to the community as brewers naturally arose. We wanted to cherish this feeling, so we decided to sell this damaged sake as "Reconstruction Sake" and donate a portion of the proceeds, however small, as relief money to Ishinomaki City, where we live. Furthermore, we hope that through this sake, which gave us encouragement, we can send a "light of hope" to all who enjoy it.