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

It’s the rainy season and the hydrangea at the factory are blooming vividly.

In order to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus, The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry have 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: June 27, July 11, 18 and 25, August 1 and 8, 2020.
We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

Our sake lees are a by-product the Ichinoide Sake, a handmade sake made using 100% domestic rice, brewed during the winter season. The lees are further fermented and aged and are ideal for use in pickling.

Availability is limited to the summer and will end as soon as we have sold out. Please be aware that delivery times may vary dependant on the stock status.

 

The Health Effects of Fermented Foods: Sake Lees (from NHK “Tameshite Gatten”)
The benefits of sake lees include:
-the effect of significantly lowering bad LDL cholesterol.
-they are a treasure trove of flavour and nutrients such as Vitamin B and amino acids.

At Kuge Honten, in order to meet the expectations of our customers, we always endeavour to keep our costs to a minimum. As a result, the price of our shochu has remained unchanged for the past few years. However, due to market forces, such as the soaring price of raw materials, fuel, transportation costs, etc., it has become impossible for us to maintain our current prices. Therefore, as of Monday, June 1, 2020, we have decided to slightly adjust the price of some of our shochu products.
We thank you for your kind understanding and continued support.

High-Concentration Ethanol for use as Hand Sanitizer, TSUNEZO ALCOHOL 77% (photo: left - front view, right - back view, 500ml) is a purely domestic alcohol produced by distilling Kasutori Shochu (raw material: sake lees) several times, so the scent is quite pleasant.
Although it is not a designated drug or quasi-drug, it can be used as hand disinfectant as a substitute for rubbing alcohol. Sake lees are said to have a water-retaining effect.

 

This product is not for human consumption (non-drinkable) and will be preferentially offered to specific medical institutions that have been designated by the local government due to a lack of ethanol-based hand sanitisers. Liquor tax will not be levied where certain conditions are met. Kuge Honten will only supply medical institutions that currently have an ethanol-based disinfectant shortage. For more information, please contact us.

 

Ingredients: Alcohol (for raw materials), Kabosu Juice
Alcohol Content: 77%

 

[Precautions for use and storage]
Alcohol (ethanol)
Danger class II
Water-soluble
Keep away from fire

We started release Spirit- TSUNEZO ALCOHOL 77%. (Photo: 500 ml) It is a purely domestic alcohol produced by distilling Kasutori Shochu (raw material: sake lees) several times, so the scent is quite pleasant. Although it is not a designated drug or quasi-drug, it can be used as hand disinfectant as a substitute for rubbing alcohol. Sake lees are said to have a water-retaining effect.

 

Of course, it can be drunk, but it has an alcohol content of 77%, so it must be diluted appropriately before consumption.

 

Size / Price (Tax excl.): 500ml (\1,300)
*Prices only applicable to purchases made in Japan

 

Ingredients: Authentic Shochu, Kabosu Juice
Alcohol Content: 77%
Distillation Method: Vacuum Distillation

 

[Precautions for use and storage]
Alcohol (ethanol)
Danger class II
Water-soluble
Keep away from fire

Usuki Medical Association Cosmos Hospital
The staff have been working incredibly hard during an immensely difficult time, and we wanted to contribute in some way. So, we donated 240 bottles of high-concentration ethanol, Alcohol 77% Tsunezo.

 

We were pleased to hear the hospital director, Dr. Shimoda’s (far left) comment, "I am very happy to receive support from local companies".
Toji Matsuno (second from the left).
Shoji Kuge, Product Manager (third from the left).
Satozo Kuge, Representative Director (far right).

 

This product is manufactured by distilling Kasutori shochu (raw material from sake lees) several times. It is purely domestic alcohol, and sake lees are said to have a water-retaining effect.

We are honoured to have received a Letter of Appreciation from the director of the Central Oita Prefectural Health Centre. The Letter of Appreciation recognises the high level of food hygiene at our facilities which we have maintained and improved upon over many years.
We will continue in our efforts to improve and maintain our food hygiene standards and create sake that meets our customers’ expectations.

Head of department, Mr. Nakano, showed off his new masterpiece, the “Ichinoide Gourd”, which he created over the course of about two years. It is an extremely detailed piece of work, created by pasting finely cut abalone shells over a gourd. We placed it next to a smartphone for scale. As you can see it’s quite big!

 

Traditionally, gourds are considered to be lucky. In the Azuchi-Momoyama period, Shogun Hideyoshi Toyotomi used a “Sennari Byotan” made from gourds. And Kuge Honten’s roots are in Yokomachi, which uses the image of a gourd on its flag (Usuki Gion Festival).

 

There is a legend that if you whisper a wish into a gourd on New Year’s Eve and then plug the lid until New Year’s Day, your wish will come true.
This year, on New Year’s Eve, we would like to wish for “an end to the coronavirus”, “world peace”, and “business prosperity”.

 

 

 

We want to promote the idea of a “local production for local consumption” food culture in order to help maintain and sustain local trade. Kuge Honten is also championing and supporting the “take out products” offered by restaurants in the city.

 

Please visit the Usuki City website for more details.