SENCHU HASSAKU (Junmaishu) Made by Tsukasa Botan, a 400-year old brewery in Kochi. "Senchu Hassaku" means 'Eight principles - written onboard a ship" and refers to a plan for a new Japanese government, drafted by a famous 19th century samurai activist from Kochi, Sakamoto Ryoma. He liked a drink, as many people in Kochi do, and this sake preserves his memory. This sake is very dry (another characteristic of Kochi sake) but there's a hint of sweetness there. Very easy to drink. Bright fluorescent orange characters on the label make it stand out among the other bottles. ARAMASA - AKITA Ryu Junmaishu Very characteristic of the Akita school of brewing (Akita ryu) High astringency and well-defined dryness dominate this brew but other flavours are there for tasting. Good with food, especially sushi. KUDOKI JOZU - Junmai Ginjo Very well balanced sake. The unusual name refers to the persuading power of the 16th century warlord, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. This brew is from Yamagata, the home of many great sakes. Fruity aroma with a hint of peaches. MATSUO- Tokubetsu tezukuri junmaishu From a little brewery in Furuma, Shinanomachi, northern Nagano Prefecture. This has a rather thick, ricey texture and is excellent with the local soba noodles in Autumn. This brew has been chosen as one of Nagano's representative local products. To brew this intersting local sake, the makers use Miyama Nishiki rice, grown in Nagano Prefecture. MATSUO Tokubetsu Junmai Tezukuri Address: Takahashi Sukesaku Shuzo-ten Kaminogun, Shinanomachi, Furuma 856-1 URL: http://www.matsuwo.co.jp