Sogen “Samurai” Prince

Sougen Sake Brewery is the oldest brewery in Oku-Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture. It is said that the family of Yoshiharu Hatakeyama, the lord of Nanao Castle during the Sengoku period, fled to Suzu when the castle was attacked by Kenshin Uesugi, changed his name to Sogen, and set up a house there. Over time, the name of the place came to be called Sogen, and in 1768 (Meiwa 5), ​​in the middle of the Edo period, his descendant, Sogen Chugoro, founded a sake brewing business. Aiming to make fine sake, he learned the secret techniques in Itami, the birthplace of sake, entered the brewery himself, and named the sake he brewed "Sogen Kenzan." Since then, the tradition has been passed down for about 250 years. It is said to be the birthplace of the Noto chief brewer, one of Japan's four major chief brewers, and the best techniques, knowledge, and craftsmanship honed over its long history have become sought after all over Japan. It is said that "Daiginjo Sogen" continues to receive the highest gold award at the National New Sake Awards, and this famous sake is even featured in ANA's international first class. Mr. Yukio Sakaguchi, who has been the chief brewer for many years, is a veteran Noto chief brewer with 60 years of experience. By focusing on the Suzu region, they create a unique and new type of sake that "learns from traditional sake brewing but never imitates,'' creating a taste that is unique to Sogen.