Ishimoto Sake Brewery: Koshi no Kanbai
The new Koshi no Kanbai logo, which adorns the top of the Sai bottle cap, combines the image of a single plum blossom with the "hexagonal flower" motif of a snowflake to reflect the spirit and aesthetic at the heart of our brewing philosophy.
A visual expression of the kanbai filling the world with dashes of color as snow shrouds the landscape, the design establishes a powerful presence that resonates with a universal appeal.
The Sai label brings together different areas of the visual spectrum, fusing delicate, subtle elements with a gorgeous design.
The faint pattern in the background symbolizes the origins of Koshi no Kanbai in "Kameda-go," an area where the Agano River, the Shinano River, and the Koagano River—a link joining the two main rivers—form natural boundaries.
In addition to expressing a sense of gratitude and respect for the abundance of clear water and the low-temperature conditions that Kameda-go provides, the label also features a gold pattern that invokes the warm, shimmering hues of the area's fruitful autumns.
Koshi no Kanbai not only accentuates cuisine but also draws on the flavors of different foods to deliver even richer tastes.
Sai (junmai-ginjo), the newest addition to the Koshi no Kanbai family, is the perfect complement to a delicious meal: it makes the food taste better and the drinker feel great.
That combination—great food and great drink—is the epitome of bliss in the Japanese consciousness.
We want Sai to give a wide array of people, from those who know and love Koshi no Kanbai to generations just discovering Japanese sake, that rich sense of satisfaction.
Sai boasts a soft aroma and a smooth, effortless finish without sacrificing any of that distinct rice flavor.
When we started brewing Sai, that was our goal: a light sake that would have a reserved, understated taste but still maintain a solid body.
We brewed the ingredients in a slow, low-temperature process to minimize acidity, using carefully polished rice and making sure never to overdo the rice koji or let the main mash dissolve too much. By aging the brew at a low temperature and waiting for the flavors to reach an optimal balance, we arrived at the pure, clear taste we were looking for—and a sake that lived up to the Sai (smooth, cleansed) name.
With an unassuming fullness, a soft, smooth finish, and crisp aftertaste, Sai is a new take on junmai-ginjo that gets more and more satisfying with every glass.
We encourage you to experience the majestic feel to transform a hot summer day to that of a comfortable breeze through a sip of hot sake and warmth in the frigid cold through a sip of cold sake.
At the Ishimoto Sake Brewery, we start our process by carefully polishing each and every grain of rice to perfection.
Sai came from that same exacting commitment to quality.
Although recent years have seen stronger-tasting sake—from sweet and acidic brews to fruity ginjo-ko products—grow more and more popular, Sai marks a clear departure from the trends of the times.
The pure, clear taste that distinguishes Sai from the pack is exactly what gives Koshi no Kanbai its unique identity.
Sai embodies our new aspiration: the creation of a brand-new "Ishimoto heritage" that appeals to people of all kinds.
"Sai" (灑)
A kanji character that signifies the idea of "cleansing with water" and denotes a "smooth, refreshing" quality.
"Shasui" (灑水), which means "watering," is a common example of a kanji compound that uses the character.
Reference: Gendai kanjigo jiten [Modern kanji dictionary] (Kadokawa Shoten)
Junmai-ginjo Sai
Ingredients: Rice (domestically produced), malted rice (made with domestically produced rice)
Polish rate: 55%
Alcohol by volume: 15%
Net contents: 720 ml, 1800 ml