Scotland Meets Sake

Ceaseless in the search for new markets for sake, a team of brewers and Rie Yoshitake arrived in the very heart of Scotland this November 2015. At an event organised by the Consulate General of Japan in Edinburg, the University of Edinburg and Yoshitake & Associates, our trailblazing team met with sake lovers and distributors alike.
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Fukuoka Evening

Amid the excitement of this year’s Rugby World Cup celebrations in the UK, festivities of a different kind were also taking place. In a bid to showcase Fukuoka prefecture’s regional charm and delights abroad, Governor Hiroshi Ogawa hosted an evening of warm and vibrant hospitality at the Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane.
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Presenting Japan

A seven-day extravaganza of lively art, Japanese cuisine and sake was held at the Japan Pavilion at the Queen Elisabeth II Centre, timed carefully to coincide with the most climactic week of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
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European Sake Summit at the Salon du Sake in Paris

The Salon du Sake 2015, brainchild of Sylvain Huet (Sake Samurai and the founder of L’Academie du Sake), took place this October, building on the success of the first Salon in 2013. Over the course of two days, more than 40 sake artisans flew their flags under one roof at the Centre du Congress in Paris, attracting sake lovers from throughout Europe.
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Ken Ohashi, the First Master of Wine and Sake

The Sake Samurai Association and the International Wine Challenge (IWC) are very proud to announce that the IWC Co-chairman of Sake has been newly conferred with the title of Master of Wine (MW). The MW is the most acclaimed title in the wine world, issued by the Institute of Masters of Wines.
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Sake Samurai Inauguration 2015

The Sake Samurai Association has commemorated its 10th anniversary this year; with 7 individuals who have dedicated themselves in promoting the tradition and culture of Sake across the world, selected as Sake Samurai. The inauguration ceremony took place at the Shimogamo shrine in Kyoto on the 16th October.
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International Sake Day Celebrations

Japan is a nation that understands the art of celebration. Countless festivals, or 'Matsuri', are held throughout the year, featuring music, traditional garb and taiko drumming. With the rice harvest comes the start of the Sake brewing season. This day is now known as 'Nihonshu no hi', or International Sake Day.
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Tosa Sake Fair

On the 17th September, Kochi prefecture hosted a grand sake event at the Embassy of Japan, showcasing the best of Tosa sake and food culture to London’s trade and sake lovers. Nine sake makers out of Kochi’s 18 came to London to promote the region’s sake.
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The Oku Memorial Trophy 2015

In this memorable year of England hosting the Rugby World Cup 2015, the 11th Oku Memorial Rugby Tournament took place at Oxford University in memory of Ambassador Katsuhiko Oku. The ambassador was a passionate diplomat and devoted his energy to the reconstruction of Iraq, but was tragically killed while on tour in November 2003.
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IWC visits Fukushima governor and the champion sake

Two months after the memorable announcement of the IWC 2015 champion sake, Chris Ashton, the COO of IWC and Rie Yoshitake flew to Japan and visited Fukushima with IWC ambassador Toshie Hiraide. The IWC team received a heartfelt welcome from the Governor, Mr Masao Uchihori.
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International Sake Day 1st October

The 1st October is one of the most significant days in the Sake calendar, and indeed, the Japanese calendar. Otherwise known as Sake Day, or "Nihonshu no hi", it marks the first day of the sake-making season. The 1st October, in other words, is sake's 'New Year's Day'.
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Arts and Sake: START at Saatchi Gallery

Sake is a two thousand year old tradition, whilst the START Art Fair at Saatchi is two years old this year. Sake is an ancient art, whilst START is all about the contemporary. On Wednesday 9th September, the two were combined to present a new interpretation on the theme of ‘Sake: Tradition Meets Innovation’ at London’s renowned Saatchi Gallery to the global art community.
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IWC 2015 Champion Sake announced

The International Wine Challenge (IWC) in partnership with The Sake Samurai Association announced the IWC 2015 Champion Sake on the 16th July at the awards diner in London. The Champion Sake was awarded by Homare Sake Brewery from the previously devastated area of Fukushima in Tohoku region. The brewery’s Aizu Homare Banshu Yamadanishiki Junmai Daiginjo fought off competition from 876 entries to scoop the prestigious title sponsored by Japan Airlines.
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Tradition Meets Innovation: The Story of the First Non-Japanese Sake Master Brewer

On the 6th July 2015, following the well-received sake evening last year, the Japan Foundation in partnership with Sake Samurai UK extended another unique and joyful sake event to their members and friends. This time, we invited British master sake brewer, Philip Harper to tell his story. The grand Conway Hall in London was filled with over 250 enthusiastic sake lovers who did not want to miss this rare opportunity.
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The First Japanese Cultural Event at Cambridge Judge Business School

On June 28th, 2015, Cambridge Japan Day 2015 was successfully held at Cambridge Judge Business School (JBS) with more than 60 participants. The event was the first Japan Day at JBS and was arranged by a team of Japanese MBA students: Masayoshi Yoshihara, Shingo Matsuba, and Tomoaki Goeku, aiming to promote “Cool Japan” in cooperation with Sake Samurai UK and Tazaki Foods UK.
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Red Cross Charity Event

The Sake Samurai and Yoshitake & Associates were proud to sponsor the inaugural British Red Cross Good Look Fashion Show on Friday, 5th June. This sell out event brought guests together in support of ‘Good’ causes, through the medium of stunning catwalk ‘Looks’.
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IWC 2015 Sake Trophy, and Great Value Sake Announcement

Following the Medal announcement last week, The International Wine Challenge and Sake Samurai have publicised the IWC 2015 Sake Trophies. Much-coveted Trophies were awarded to 7 category winners who will be shortlisted for the IWC 2015 Champion Sake on the 16th July.
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IESE Hanami Event, Barcelona

On 14th of April 2015, Japan Business Club(JBC) at IESE Business School, held Hanami Event at Barcelona Campus for the first time in IESE’s history, with the support of Sake Samurai UK. Japan Business Club organized the event to introduce Japan's Hanami culture and to offer the world's future leaders an opportunity to enjoy Japanese food, sake and hospitality.
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IWC 2015 Sake Judging

Since it started in 2007 in partnership with the Sake Samurai Association, the sake competition at the International Wine Challenge has been playing an indispensable role in promoting Japan’s national drink to a worldwide audience.
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