The Making of Shimizu-No-Mai Japanese Sake

Did you know that sake is older than the written Japanese language?!
This video from Akita Shurui Seizoh showcases the craftsmanship and tradition that is behind the "Drink of the Gods". Sake (pronounced "sah-kay") is brewed somewhat like beer, but drinks elegantly like wine - but is truly a unique beverage!
About Akita Shurui Seizoh: Small family breweries, dating back to 1656, came together as one to establish Akita Shurui Seizoh (formerly known as Takashimizu). This boutique sake house is located in Akita, Japan -- a region renowned for its artisan sakes.
Akita Shurui Seizoh handcrafts the Shimizu-No-Mai line of luxury sakes from highly-polished local rice and soft, riverbed water. The brewery's dedication to purity and quality has awarded the brewery twelve consecutive gold medals at Japan's only national sake competition.

[@ooze9808]

for some strange reason I'm obsessed with videos like these

[@uchihaobito9503]

oo ze same, it serves little to no purpose to me knowing these informations but I watch it nonetheless

[@gtbkts]

Same

[@that_lurker]

and for some strange reason youtube knows exactly that

[@youngstar4519]

Yes haha

[@rileycolvin947]

I feel like I’m watching a sister version of Reading Rainbow when I watch these, it’s almost.. nostalgic..

[@yugimuto9763]

Japanese and island culture is very fascinating. The lack of resources have really inspired great crafts

[@driveincanada9713]

👍👍🥰🥰

[@j-dubb614]

This video had the feel of a something you'd watch in a dark room with 20 other people and that would have a quiz afterwards.

[@petertaylor9432]

Or playing on repeat on an incredibly outdated TV in a museum

[@recoil53]

The voice over guy is definitely somebody I've heard in too many educational school films.

[@Backroad_Junkie]

Yeah, could be the company propaganda DVD you buy in the visitor's center of the brewery...

[@driveincanada9713]

👍👍👍🍁

[@wolfcatsden]

this was very fascinating to see it being made by hand. I'm sure the stuff I've tried is far from the quality of this sake. I'd fail any quiz I'm afraid lol

[@melkenshawn]

Makes interactions smooth. Alcohol tends to have that kind of effect.

[@michaelperry8130]

Hahahahahaha

[@alexanderkivilsha6041]

Rice is nice, but incest is best.

[@uchihaobito9503]

Alexander Kivilsha ah yess of course!

[@TheMadawg67]

thats why we brew JackDaniels

[@hermanman8235]

Cannot agree more.alcoholic bevarage makes everybody (not all) happy and EGO FREE

[@22.NUU.DRU.22]

The single solitary expression the old japanese man made was when he tasted the final product and and slowly nodded his head in aproval. Never said a word even to the coworker, that is long term focus.

[@brandonbentley5453]

My local liquor store had this sake. Bought it it wasn't cheap. Worth every penny and was just sweet yummy goodness!!!! Goes right with sushi 🍣 😋

[@driveincanada9713]

👍👍👍🍁🍁🍁

[@666mrdoctor]

Lucky besterd 😂

[@leulkm]

this is why I love the Japanese tradition as they are leaders of science and technology they always stick to the roots of their for-fathers

[@muhammadadamarahman6488]

*laughs in tentacle hentai* shit u rite

[@UncleSam13]

forefathers

[@lifewithabluetickcoonhound7116]

I believe the Japanese people are among the very few peoples that can trace their individual blood line back thousands of years, which means they know who they are and where they come from. I very much envy them. Speaking for myself being a worthless white guy with no idea of who i am and where i come from sucks.

[@jasonhall947]

@@lifewithabluetickcoonhound7116 Jesus dude...Give yourself a break.

[@thisaccountisntreal107]

@@muhammadadamarahman6488 You say that like its a joke but there are tentacle porn drawings from 1814

[@pritamkumargogoi2533]

this video and the background music gets me goosebumps. Respect for those kurabitos

[@littlerick3458]

The finale with "No time for caution" rises the mood.

[@nine9sixSPS]

I caught myself holding my breath when they were shaking the spores onto the rice. lol

[@randywilliams208]

lol fr 😂

[@ObsequiousV4]

I did this too XD

[@SidneyKibet]

Haha haha. By any chance are you allergic to dust and pollen like me?

[@walt_man]

Heh

[@Lindamorena]

Lol

[@Terarex92]

Sake may make social interaction easier, and drinking it whilst watching this, makes this short doc that much better.

[@paigehennen3084]

You know what's up

[@budmeister]

weeaboo

[@hedduyou]

Imagine if that dude squished the rice with his hands into that ball and then was just like "NOPE, scrap it all!"

[@mariarahim651]

That has definitely has happened thats why the brewers have to be diligent and experienced.

[@ollidroit]

I want sake, horchata, and tapioca all at the same time now. Great...

[@jasonhill1729]

Old guy: "How do we let everyone know that we've just completed another batch?" Intern: "Let's hang a giant ball of leaves over the front door! They'll know what it means!" 12:37

[@MasterTOB101]

You are promoted.

[@ExtrovertED]

The most complicated interpretation of the phrase "tie one on"

[@amirrahim2336]

Is part of a Shinto ritual sake is revered as a sacred drink in Japan this has been done for millenia

[@erice.3468]

Thank you for making this video. I understood the chemistry of brewing, but getting a glimpse of the traditions and disciplines involved was a treat.

[@yengsabio5315]

Esp. so with the old-school way of Japanese soy sauce making! There's a video on YT provided by National Geographic on the matter. I posit that it will also be a treat to you once you've seen it as it was to me! Cheers & mabuhay from tropical Philippines!

[@vicentee2286]

This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life

[@deniecedonnafield4749]

Beautiful photography, well explained for greater understanding ~ 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟❤️🇺🇸

[@driveincanada9713]

👍👍🥰🥰

[@paperwormscat9760]

This epic holy music in the background makes everything look so much more meaningful.

[@sytho1373]

I love Japanese culture

[@thechosenone729]

The amount of work makes me respect this peoples even more, Japanese peoples are sure hard workers.

[@teodorick1]

During this quarantine period.... KZbin algorithm: "Heyy.... wanna see a relaxing video about making SAKE...?" Me: Yeah why not.... (Not regretted) (also I'm not fond of alcohol drinks) KZbin Algorithm is AWESOME

[@StygianBlood]

Yup...right up until for absolutely no reason you get the random video of a chick breast feeding her 6yo as if it's some normal shit

[@Alusnovalotus]

Even steaming rice is an art in Japan. Great respect for the meticulous dedication and effort these gentlemen Put into this art. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@Smoothbluehero]

What is sake for? a. to go with the season b. to support good food c. to make interactions with others easier d. to enjoy an ever richer life e. all of the above

[@r.a.p8630]

To get really drunk

[@Unknown-Updog]

E

[@msg7460]

To make intercourse with others easier

[@KossolaxtheForesworn]

lets get so absolutely shitfaced

[@franciscoocasio3883]

Sake is rice white wine.....sweet .....is real good.......

[@knucklehead9129]

at 1:50, this is what they do to bless forges, is this like a universal "good luck" blessing to a workplace or something

[@Jpb6583]

It's over-hyped Japanese bullshit. Like a lot of the pointless things they do during production of anything.

[@WZRDr]

@@Jpb6583 its called "culture"

[@winndixie6361]

Nope..the first guys got shitfaced off the first batch for test and then wanted to hang something cause it involved tools and ladders and shit.. typical drunk guy hangout things that always happens..course that shit is tradition now.....

[@dreadpiraterobertsii4420]

Jpb6583 your Japanese Wifu not text you back?

[@toska3528]

I have never drunk Sake before, and I always assumed it was inferior to European alcoholic beverages. However, after watching this short documentary about how it is brewed, I am honestly impressed with the amount of competence and skill involved in its production. Therefore, when I have the money, I will purchase a genuine bottle of high-class Sake. If anyone would be willing to suggest me any brands, I am open to suggestions.

[@maksphoto78]

I buy a medium--grade (I guess) sake from my local supermarket, it's called Sawanotsuru. Check your local stores, and do try it out. Sake has a unique taste that blends earthy, rice flavour with light and crispy, apply, white-wine-like notes.

[@666mrdoctor]

Believe me: try genshu sake. It's aged. It's amazing. Even my Sicilian ultra-conservative dad thought it rivals wines like Muscat or Passito.

[@jamesonrisser5358]

"and makes interactions smoother with others" :)))

[@bluekid121]

That dude moved that metal, multi-gallon, water-filled container like it was nothing! It probably has some buoyancy, but still impressive

[@Anbaro99]

These guys got a Hans Zimmer track for the moromi. My god.

[@GoRushABC]

Such a nice video! Well done. I really loved the sound of water, and all that nostalgic feelings I got which I have never experienced.

[@mattblom3990]

Watching this with a chilled Hakutsuru Draft Sake...So creamy and sweet it reminds me of the rice pudding dad made us as kids. Great stuff!

[@666mrdoctor]

You Japanese people, making such a wonderful beverage with just water and rice. I just watched the whole video and I still don't understand how.

[@maksphoto78]

Not just water and rice. You need special rice, koji mold spores too, and the right conditions for koji to reproduce and turn starch into sugar.

[@zulqarnainrahim]

This is a real soul food in japan.. Old Way the Best Way

[@ObsequiousV4]

"The next day, nothing is added" *DUMPS GIANT BAG OF RICE INTO VAT *

[@swervature]

I had no idea how much work went into sake. Very cool.

[@driveincanada9713]

👍👍🌷🌷

[@stephenhill1716]

Like around 10:30 or so it sounded like Hans Zimmer was orchestrating this video showing how a Japanese alcohol is created lol.

[@iannordin5250]

"The white folk are here start singing or something"

[@oscarbanana6159]

hahaha my first thought. Japanese are very ritualistic, but Im having my doubts that kind of thing is common. I bet most days they just get on with it and make the damn sake without a lot of nonsense.

[@iannordin5250]

@@oscarbanana6159 Yeah, there's another video from this guy who lives in Japan, and he takes a tour around one of the best Sake makers in the country, and the facility is modern and everyone wears scrubs and shit and use pumps and steel containers and shit. Really made me realize how fake feeling this one is. In fact, I looked into the brewery that made this promotional footage and their actual facilities look almost nothing like the ones show, so it's my guess they have a tour room for guest when they need to show off the more "traditional" sake brewing methods.

[@nunyabisnass1141]

Yeah i thought that too. The thing is there are "traditional" sites like this, but they are heritage preservation sites, like an interactive museum. Japan also has fairly strick food integrity laws, and some of the techniques shown here wouldn't be permitted for mass consumption.

[@DeNihility]

Traditional methods are demonstrated for show. Traditional methods aren't efficient enough to mass produce most things. Mass production also has the benefit of quality control.

[@ldfgbnghcfhgvjbkhn]

@@iannordin5250 Traditional methods will still be used for super-premium products, and it is very important to preserve them. Same goes for wine or high end spirits, industrial production processes often mimics tradition. For exemple Robotic Lagares are now used on a large scale by the port industry but the very best vintage ports are still treaded by the human foot in a Lagar.

[@berniezander]

wonderful video of this brewing art. Enjoy some sake with your sushi! Or just some sake!

[@ceyris4476]

Thank you very much for this piece of knowledge ❤️

[@j.faustojara7224]

Such dedication in their work really becomes into art

[@driveincanada9713]

👍👍❤

[@ragingbull8024]

This take years to master!

[@tiamelancholyjeoncockity]

I hungry for some sake rn and been watching how to make sake videos everywhere on KZbin 🗿

[@midnight2600]

This was really well put together. Gave me Ghibli/Zelda vibes at times from the music lol

[@onlinememetroller7083]

nice background music

[@onkarbasera1633]

Background music making it a Divine process 😁😁

[@slipknot73745]

"The temperature is precisely controlled to help the yeast multiply smoothly" *swirls humongous kettlebell filled with water*

[@dereckkami8200]

Handling steaming hot rice with bare hands... holy crap

[@pumbuken823]

Don't dismiss the indians

[@kueapel911]

The sought perfection in every aspect of their life... Clear, and soothing... clearly represents the perfection image of Japan. *but then there's hentai...

[@Juggernautfitnes]

hentai is love hentai is life :D

[@adventureguy4119]

Part of the reason their military has been so successful. Example they stick to tradition and seeing something threw till the very end and will not settle for less than success. Which is why the army has always been feared by it neighbors they will not stop. In the modern age japan is bullied my nuclear states like NK. However they stil perfect many things! my good friend is stationed in japan now

[@wildbill562]

+THE GUY - I love this aspect of Japanese culture. Unfortunately, corruption of government and corporations - and now the Fukushima nuclear disaster - has poisoned japan and the entire Pacific Ocean.

[@devilhunterred]

Would that include the perfection of raping and killing of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians during WWII?

[@kueapel911]

Midnite Reveries who're you talking about? The allies? The nazis? If you're talking about killing civilians in war, please be more specific as which country you're talking about cause it's a freaking war and every country did it, and as far as I know, America is on top of the list, or must I say, the only country in the world that have murdered millions of civilians with nuclear blast. Twice.

[@epope98]

For those interested there is a excellent documentary about saki making on netflix

[@jshicke]

Not sure if it is still there, but I saw it, and yes, it was a very good documentary.

[@guadload2073]

I remember a time where youtube didnt have commcerials before your video.....

[@budmeister]

It's 2016, AdBlock has been out already for years.

[@dfrenchorn]

budmeister life sucks on mobile

[@WZRDr]

Now is the time for "VancedKZbin" its "advanced" youtube app without the "ad"s

[@nettyvoyager6336]

THEY SHOULD MAKE RICE PUDDING OUT OF IT :)

[@walt_man]

Smashed pudding

[@less-name]

한국에서 보고있습니다 I'm on korea so nice to see making sake

[@lh8372]

Amazing

[@redboiwalkin]

i want some sake now, mmm

[@thanos-lq6my]

amazing video !

[@surajitroy4737]

It's so Amazing... Thank you🙏🏻

[@HoopyAmero]

Yeah... well I make beer in my bathroom because it's the only sink I can stick the 5 gallon bucket under and I do it wearing nothing but my underwear. But your way is pretty cool too I suppose.

[@pamelanadel3787]

Amero I'm sure your beer is quite superior. Is it made with Flint tap water?!

[@HoopyAmero]

@@pamelanadel3787 nah I'm a southerner. Only clean, fresh, conservative managed municipal water goes into my ale.

[@Keithjustkeithwastaken]

@@HoopyAmero god bless America could almost make a man cry

[@HoopyAmero]

@@Keithjustkeithwastaken I fucking love this country so much you have no idea

[@ScaryEnding]

I accidentally watched baking cookies so I came here to wash my sin.

[@hagensteele4447]

Thanks for the upload.

[@joekrayven8731]

The narrator's voice is smoother than that Sake

[@maksphoto78]

I love it how they create a word for every object or action that they do in this process. Come on, what other language does that?

[@GooTimo]

All of them? Because they speak another language. Why would you expect them to not invent words to describe their work?

[@maksphoto78]

@@GooTimo Because most other cultures don't do that. I mean, if I head to a pub and have a beer, I don't give that activity a whole new name.

[@GooTimo]

@@maksphoto78 Every culture does that, the only reason it sounds weird here is because the script writers decided not to translate all of the Japanese into English. You could just a well have a japanese company make a video about scotch whisky production. instead of "moromi" they would be saying "Mash", Instead of "kome" you'd have "grist". The "mashing" process might occur in a "lauter tun", once "saccharification" was complete the "wort" would be transferred to a "fermenter" or "washback" where you would "pitch" the yeast. You would then "charge" the fermented "Wash" into the "still" for "distillation" you would separate out the "foreshots, hearts and feints" before filling the hearts into a "Cask" (which could be a "Barrel", "Hogshead", "Butt", "Postpipe", "Quartercask" and many more). Once "Maturation" is complete we call it "Whisky".

[@maksphoto78]

@@GooTimo You're right, sorry I sounded precocoious. Yes, in English and most other languages there are words for everything.

[@GooTimo]

@@maksphoto78 Not a problem in the lightest, you're a bigger person than most

[@rcdogmanduh4440]

Looks like shine to me!

[@udonloews1301]

🎀 aroma of Sake: SOFT + CRISP 🎀

[@revvanmev2885]

Azamitiara, a dark grape wine that came out in Japan in 2027 and quickly became popular for the cute little square bottle it came in.

[@landongeorge5257]

Where do you find more videos and recordings of the guys singing while they push around rice mash?

[@ShakoSarge56]

www.gekkeikan.co.jp/english/history/culture/worksongs.html Found this after a bit of searching. #2 is the same song in this video.

[@Andy32410]

Why do I get the feeling that sake brewing is the best job in Japan?

[@avoidingtrees560]

arigato from France , Japan, for your good sake

[@alvarohigino]

Why is this documentary so melodramatic?

[@NickyNightShine]

I always thought it was distilled... now I know. Kampai!

[@kashjaegermusic]

well that was cool

[@H2oRiz]

Continuing the centuries long tradition of using digital thermometers, and innoculating steamed rice with hand microbes.

[@andrewmckenzie7969]

sake is good. I relax me a lot. try japanese sake is totally different

[@rodwalpole8340]

Unreal bro .

[@vinslungur]

Beautiful. I hope one day I get the opportunity to try Japanese sake :D

[@magniformicalaboris]

Excellent video, thank you

[@edwinf5834]

From indonesia we also have many traditional alcoholic beverages. Sometime we use rice like a sake. Sometime coconut. Sometime sticky rice. Sometime sugar cane. Sometime palm. And the name also different. Yakk ciu bekonang. Enak tur keras 😁🇮🇩

[@wukong6853]

This was amazing.

[@lordchimp9538]

das ist ein sehr interessantes Video, coolio!

[@Jan_372]

Der erste deutsche Kommentar auf dem Video, cool.

[@3LM0Pr0C0Re]

very informative, i might consider buying a bottle of sake.

Try it hot after a cold bike or motorcycle ride.

[@dimasrianto8347]

I watch this for about 2 mins and then fall asleep. Thetruedocumentaryvideo

[@dimasrianto8347]

+Diidiidii4 no idiot, the music is just relaxing my mind

[@leonarduskrisna4588]

perhaps this video is just lowkey of ASMR Video Watching People Talking About Culture or Something that really not That Important on purpose making Relaxing vibe

[@MrDC1001]

Sake before bukake

[@keithwaterhouse2845]

It's made in Thailand too, only with top quality rice and in a shed.

[@jonathancortez7145]

I've had sake before.

[@zoverawizo7476]

This video is making me crave sakeeeee which i might never have

[@maksphoto78]

You can order it online.

[@trinakiser9973]

I love the way you explain the process.. could you please do one in Vodka

[@winndixie6361]

It's ironically almost the same but one is fermentation and one is distilled but same mesh process minus prayer and tradition add pissed off Russian yelling at two guys argue who's 80s t shirt has the best Hollywood actors

[@burntorangeak]

Friend if mine brewed this in a sock and a zip - lock bag. Same same.

[@larrbaII]

i had a co worker tell me he did that too in jail.

[@sirfishslayer5100]

Bwahahaha!

[@micahkinser2945]

due to a convention I attended in Atlanta GA that had many Japanese people I met many of the people and recently I've gotten into watching large amounts of Japanese TV and anime I also have been very interested in Japanese Culture and wish to move there for a few months at some point I've also tried learning some Romaji so this video was very interesting to me Arigato!

[@graemeedward4456]

Good luck, the Japanese government really resists allowing immigrants into Japan

[@zaru9374]

im half japanese because my moms aunts daughters husband is japanese and making sake is really hard but sake is really delicous i love sake

[@micahkinser2945]

+rezi bubuteishvili that would make him your moms cousins husband and he wuld not be related to you by blood therefore you aren't in any way Japanese you just have a Japanese relative by marriage

[@denispogodin1585]

wait a minute? no distillation? how do they get high alcohol content ?

[@jshicke]

Sake is not a high alcohol drink. Roughly 15% or so when undiluted. It is a fermented, not distilled, drink. Some companies do add alcohol to the finished product to raise the alcohol content and increase shelf life.

[@winndixie6361]

12 days fermentation..they didn't show the part where they strain the rice from batch to make it clear..that's where the distillery comes in..they won't show that because that's their secret just like all other distillery ..the parts the showed is how basic wine is made with rice and even vodka the same way but with potatoes..it's the making it clear by strain and re pressure with heat to each vat that makes it clear through copper tubing..they didn't show the actual part that is a trade secret to all business ..that's where the actual flavor and clearness comes from..we pretty much got to watch a fancy way to make jail house wine ..the rest is Def secret lol..that's the part I wanted to see too hahaha

[@butsukete1806]

@@winndixie6361 Straining is not the same as distilling, and if to just let it sit long enough the rice particles will eventually settle out from gravity. Also, most vodka is made from grain with a bit of malted barley to get the amylase enzymes needed for starch to sugar conversion.If you want distilled rice wine then get some Korean soju.

[@winndixie6361]

@@butsukete1806 thanks for the correction 😊 thought vodka was made pure from potatoes lol..thanks Anyways

[@lucioblanco9189]

Son ridículamente protocolares, seremonios y con una solemnidad que asfixia.

[@frankboogaard88]

Sake is so easy to make if you have patience.

[@zoemeow7677]

Wow! Amazing!

[@estebancorral5151]

How do you originally isolate the Koji spores?

[@LoganNova]

Taste tester at 11:40 looks lit

[@LaplacianFourier]

I prefer Shimazu Heavy Gunners.

[@mikecorleone6797]

Staring at rice cooker *intensifies*

[@hahahajix]

Hi dear ShimizuNoMai Sake I have couple questions 1- What is that powder at 5:50? 2- alcoholic beverages need sugar for producing alcohol, but you didn't add this. why?

[@mersyndol]

Good moonshine!

[@jshicke]

I was hoping to see a section on polishing the rice, but that was not shown here.

[@FilthyVA]

Do you think the first guy to make sake was looked at by his neighbors as crazy? Like it's not exactly normal behavior to dust your food in mold spores, dry it out, soak it, steam it etc etc.

[@amirrahim2336]

Sake it was discovered and when sake was first made 2,000 yrs ago used to chew the rice to make sake

[@bopz.]

Dang shanks was right just one bottle of this stuff seems good