"The Engine of our Hometown" - Thinking Globally, Acting Locally -

 

Usuki City Medical Association Cosmos Hospital plays a key role in the region’s medical care. They recently posted on their FB account: “We are struggling due to a shortage of vinyl aprons. If anyone is able to help by making and delivering a quantity to the hospital, we would be immensely grateful.”
I discussed the situation with our staff, and they were eager to contribute.
We created 100 aprons and delivered them immediately. At the same time, we donated a number of antiviral face masks that we had stored. We decided that they would be better used at the hospital, on the frontline of medical treatment.
According to the secretary who responded, “The supply of vinyl aprons has stopped. The stock we have is not enough.”.
We are going to do all we can to cooperate with the Cosmos Hospital and help them during this difficult time.

In order to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus, The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has recommended that all businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises, with the exception of essential services, should allow their employees to work from home. Where this is not possible, the ministry has requested that businesses reduce the number of on-site workers by at least 70%.
As a result of the above request, we have decided to temporarily close on the following Saturdays: May 2, 9, and 30.
We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

 

Spring has come, and as usual, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom at the factory, blissfully unaware of the ongoing severity of the situation caused by the new coronavirus infection.
Safety is of paramount importance to us as our staff go about their work in well-ventilated rooms whilst maintaining social distancing.

Last year, Mikal Goh and his family came to our brewery whilst visiting from Malaysia. It seems that they have been forced to stay at home for more than 10 days due to the recent spread of coronavirus.

Our president has received a letter from him and would like to share it with you. They chose our Junmai Daiginjo - Ichinoide for a small party they had at their home.

 

Konbawa Satozo-san,

 

I hope this email finds you and your family in good health and well in this difficult times arising from covid-19.

 

We, Goh Family is alright. However we have been at home on “restricted” house basis for past 10 days already under Government Movement Control Order “MCO” or semi-lockdown nationwide. Times are very difficult.

 

To “celebrate” our Day 10 of MCO, i’ve decided to drink Ichinoide Junmai Daiginjo Sake 40% Y-N, Kuge Honten, Usuki, Oita. It is very smooth and easy to drink. Kanpai!

 

Thank you for your wonderful sake and to make our time whilst in MCO bearable!

 

Kind regards,
Mikal Goh

 

We visited Governor Hirose and presented him with our new product - Tsuneze Breeze 40. It was produced in collaboration with Oita Prefectural College of Arts and Culture and designed by Associate Professor Nishiguchi and the Kuge Honten team.
Governor Hirose complimented our new product, and we really appreciated his feedback - “I like the wonderful design and fruity aroma.”. The meeting was arranged a couple of months ago and even though he is currently very busy due to the influence of the new coronavirus, he still made time for us. “Whilst infection control is currently the priority, it is also important to support economic activities”, the governor said.
The above article was published in the evening edition of the Oita Joint Newspaper on March 31 (Bottom photo).

 

Our president appeared on “I Love Usuki” (Usuki Cable Net), which was broadcast live at noon on March 11, 2020. He proudly promoted our tokubetsu junmai - Ichinoide and tokubetsu junmai muroka namagenshu - USUKI, both of which are Usuki brand certified products, created using Usuki produce.
The host, TV personality - Yusaku Mori, lead the interview well, giving our president the opportunity to talk about our brewery and give his thoughts on tokubetsu junmaishu.

 

Please feel free to watch the programme.

 

Our president appeared on “I Love Usuki” (Usuki Cable Net), which was broadcast live at noon on March 11, 2020. He proudly promoted our tokubetsu junmai - Ichinoide and tokubetsu junmai muroka namagenshu - USUKI, both of which are Usuki brand certified products, created using Usuki produce.
The host, TV personality - Yusaku Mori, lead the interview well, giving our president the opportunity to proudly talk about our brewery and give his thoughts on tokubetsu junmaishu.
There are many reruns planned for this week. Please refer to the programme guide for Usuki Cable Net.

 

We have completed the joso process and our tokubetsu junmai muroka namagenshu - USUKI is now resting in the tank, ready for bottling. We used 100% Wakamizu rice, a rice that is excellent for sake brewing and is cultivated right here in Usuki. It has a sake degree of +3.4, acidity of 1.6. The yeast - Kyokai No. 901 - has a fresh apple-like aroma and a delicious rice flavour. The taste is a little dryer than usual.

 

Most sake production involves using a filling machine following the joso process for bottling. However, we filled 120 x 1-sho bottles and 600 x 4-go bottles by hand with the help of our customers.

 

Hand bottled USUKI will be sold at liqueur shops from Monday, 9 March.
If you do not have a stockist nearby, don’t worry! We will be offering USUKI through the Kuge Honten web shop starting from the same day (plus shipping), so feel free to order online.
It is sold on a first-come-first-served basis. Please note, we do not accept reservations.

 

We have set the date to press our tokubetsu junmai muroka namagenshu - USUKI.
It will take place on March 6, from 10 am to noon. Moromi (left of photo) can be seen in the photo, making sure the fermentation process is running smoothly. All of our brewers are very excited and looking forward to serving the fresh sake.

 

For those who are interested, on the day of the pressing (March 6), you are invited to visit the brewery and experience bottling. Please be aware, in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, all participants must consent to the use of alcohol-based hand sanitiser and in addition, must wear vinyl gloves, hats, and masks (please provide your own). Please refrain from attending if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms or considered vulnerable, such as elderly or suffering from an underlying illness.

 

*You will not be able to take the sake home on the day. It will be ready on Monday, March 9.

 

Mary Stammers, a student at Cambridge University in the UK, is currently spending a year studying at Hitotsubashi University. She is also taking part in an internship at Takahashi Tea here in Usuki City. Today, she was able to learn about sake brewing and the fermentation industry in Usuki.

 

She is originally from a rural town called Southwold on the east coast of England. She has a lovely smile and is very clever, in fact, she asked us some pretty sharp questions! She is half Welsh so we were able to have a great conversation about Wales’ performance during the Rugby World Cup last autumn.