Itami - Sake's Other, Other Birthplace(?)

Itami - Sake's Other, Other Birthplace(?)

From Sake Deep Dive by Sake Deep Dive

March 31, 2026 · 1h 3m

About this episode

Andy and Jim explore the historical significance of Itami in sake brewing and its innovations.

Andy and Jim dig into the past of Itami, an influential sake brewing area in Hyogo prefecture that found itself replaced by Nada. What innovations did Itami offer up, and why did it get left in the shadows of sake history? Come listen as your hosts brush the cobwebs off a nearly-lost sake brewing center that just might be the birthplace of seishu. Kanpai! Vocab for this episode Namizake 並酒 - An early word for sake brewed with unpolished rice in both kōji and kakemai. Morohaku 諸白 - Sake brewed with polished rice both for kōji and kakemai Katahaku 片白 - Sake brewed with polished rice for kakemai and unpolished rice in the kōji. Genroku Period 元禄時代 - A historical period, 1688-1705, when Itami was at its sake brewing peak. Kamigata 上方 - An Edo period term for the region around Kyoto, where the imperial court remained. Hashirashōchu 柱焼酎 - The use of kasutori shōchu, distilled from refermented sake kasu, as an additive to sake for a variety of purposes. Recommendations: Andy ＆Jim both - Choutokusen Shirayuki Edo Genroku no Sake Don’t forget to support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/SakeDeepDive Also, check out Andy’s websites at: https://www.originsake.com/ and…

People in this episode

Hosts: Andy, Jim

Topics covered

  • sake brewing history
  • Itami
  • Hyogo prefecture
  • sake innovations
  • seishu
  • Japanese culture

Keywords

  • Itami
  • sake
  • Hyogo
  • seishu
  • Genroku Period
  • sake brewing
  • Japanese sake

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Patreon, Originsake, Originsake Tours, The Loyalist, Preconceived Notions

Books & works: Choutokusen Shirayuki Edo Genroku no Sake, Lotus Lane

Places: Itami, Hyogo prefecture, Nada

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