Kato Kichibee Shouten, a brewery which has for a long time brewed a kind of Japanese sake, BORN series in Sabae city, Fukui. Kato Atsuhide is the eleventh head of the brewery. He was interviewed by us and that goes on below.

－Now, can I begin this interview?

Kato: Of course. You can.

－First of all, every sake you brewed is named BORN and something. For example, it is BORN Cho Gin, BORN GOLD and the like. Why? What does BORN mean?

Kato: We have brewed BORN series with all wishes that drinkers could found and build beautiful future. BORN means birth of wonderful future. And BORN means it is very great in French. Moreover, the word means truth in Sanskrit. We think it expresses essence of Japanese. Searching for truth, we Japanese build great future, in a word.

－BORN Cho Gin, we have featured, when was it developed first?

Kato: Over 20 years ago. Cho Gin means transcending Ginjo Syu. So the sake was made to surpass our existing sake.

－BORN Cho Gin has been on sale after storing to mature 5 years under the state of －8 degree Celsius. Why?

Kato: That is to let it fragrant. After a lot of trying, we found what made sake smell so good. Hineka, strange smell from getting old does not be. So, in the field of making smooth fragrance with storing, we are probably taking the lead.

－Surely, BORN Cho Gin smells very beautiful. It smells sort of citrus.

Kato: Some say it smells kind of grape fruit though it is Japanese sake from rice.

－Home and abroad, many have extolled BORN Cho Gin. Do you have any plans of global reach? How much is BORN Cho Gin had overseas?

Kato: The production output has been on increase for over ten years. But I am sorry we cannot globally reach just now. Sometimes, it has been had overseas like at the catering of Belgian royal family. About 1% of all product amounts, however, are consumed abroad now. It gets sold out very soon in our home area, too. So I say pardon in an aspect of product quantity now. We supply just about 15% against all demands now.

－Finally, please show us your spirit as the leader of Japanese sake from now on. Come on.

Kato: Drinking our sake, we would like drinkers to say he gets to be clear. As all they can feel themselves, beautiful sake is simply headed for. We should be a flag ship of Japanese sake in the next generation, too.

－Thank you.

Kato: Thanks.

Interview and text by Misaka Youhei