Yesterday, April 29th, was the end of the saké brewing season for Matsuse Saké Brewery in Shiga, Japan. The season was Reiwa 4 of the Japanese Saké Brew Year, which started on July 1st 2022 and will end on June 30th 2023.
The Koshiki Taoshi, which is the final shikomi of the season, was done. Altogether, Matsuse brewed a moromoi 85 times from October 2022 to this April. That is impressive for a small crew that had to put in a lot of work hours while living away from their family and friends. I was there for a few days in mid-January, as the brewing season was starting to peak. I always feel fortunate to be with the saké workers during brewing season. I feel the seriousness of their work--the dedication and focus--and at the same time the lightheartedness and fun that go on.
Koshiki Taoshi (last shikomi) is traditionally celebrated with cooking sekkhan, a red bean rice dish that usually appears on Japanese celebrations. It's sweet rice and adzuki beans cooked together, which results in the adzuki beans turning red, the color of celebration.
