About US
Greetings
Matsui Sake Brewery makes sake in the city of Kyoto.
By national standards, our production is fairly small-scale.
Despite our modest size, we brew each bottle with all of our heart. Our sake pairs well with food and we work hard with the goal of offering you a wonderful time.
Our ideal sake has a high-level harmony of aroma and taste.
We seek to make a sake that deepens joy and heals sadness. That is why we value both tradition and innovation to make everyone happy.
We will always strive for brewing.
Sake connects people to people and hearts to hearts. I'm really looking forward to seeing you all!
President Matsui Jiemon
History
Founding
Matsui Sake Brewery was founded in the 11th year of Emperor Kyoho (1726).
At that time, sake brewing was being carried out by the fourth generation owner, Jiemon Matsui, who was a vassal of Takagi Castle in Tajima Province, in Shinoshoshimohama Village (later Kasumi Village, now Kami City, Hyogo Prefecture). Unfortunately, no previous records remain. After that, the Matsui family maintained the business for generations, following the name of Jiemon Matsui, until the 12th generation owner.
At Sakouiji Temple, which overlooks the sea of Kasumi, there is still a monument to the well "Senshin kanrosui" dug by the Matsui family's ancestors. In Kasumi, which prospered as a port of call for Kitamaebune ships, Matsui's family owned two ships, the Tenjin Maru and the Hachiman Maru, and traded with Hokkaido. It seems that the ship to go there carried sake and the ship to return was loaded with marine products.
It is said that our long-standing brand "Fuji Chitose" was named after praying for the safety of the voyage to Mt. Fuji and for the millennium happiness of our business and customers in Chitose.(“chitose” means one thousand years)
At that time, sake brewing was being carried out by the fourth generation owner, Jiemon Matsui, who was a vassal of Takagi Castle in Tajima Province, in Shinoshoshimohama Village (later Kasumi Village, now Kami City, Hyogo Prefecture). Unfortunately, no previous records remain. After that, the Matsui family maintained the business for generations, following the name of Jiemon Matsui, until the 12th generation owner.
At Sakouiji Temple, which overlooks the sea of Kasumi, there is still a monument to the well "Senshin kanrosui" dug by the Matsui family's ancestors. In Kasumi, which prospered as a port of call for Kitamaebune ships, Matsui's family owned two ships, the Tenjin Maru and the Hachiman Maru, and traded with Hokkaido. It seems that the ship to go there carried sake and the ship to return was loaded with marine products.
It is said that our long-standing brand "Fuji Chitose" was named after praying for the safety of the voyage to Mt. Fuji and for the millennium happiness of our business and customers in Chitose.(“chitose” means one thousand years)
Amarube Railway Bridge
Kasumi Sea
To Kyoto
In the late Edo period (1603-1867), the brewery was moved to Rakuchu, Kyoto (currently Shimomaruya-cho, Kawaramachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku) and continued to brew sake.
On the old maps of that era, you can see the name of Matsui Sake Brewery.
Word of mouth has it that there were three sake breweries in a row at that time, and it seems that Matsui Sake Brewery was sandwiched between the other two. All of Rakuchu's sake breweries were made up of several groups and each group shared one well. Matsui belonged to the Jyoyu-gumi and shared a well (currently dismantled) in Samamatsucho, Matsuyamachi, and that connection continues even today.
However, it was not always smooth sailing.
Matsui Sake Brewery was also at the mercy of the turmoil in Kyoto at the end of the Edo period and the subsequent transfer of the capital to Tokyo.
For example, the great fire of Genji caused by the Kinmon Incident in 1864 burned down the brewery and forced dramatic changes.
After that, from the Taisho era (1912-1926) to the latter half of the Showa era (1926-1989), trams began to run in Kyoto.
Due to the expansion work, Matsui Sake Brewery was forced to relocate again.
The 13th generation owner decided to move to Yoshidakawaramachi, Sakyo-ku, our current location, in search of good quality water.
At that time, Matsui Sake Brewery acted as a branch inn that welcomed guests from all over the world for the Emperor's Great Religion Ceremony in the 4th year of the Taisho era.
However, following the militarization of Japan leading to the war, the brewery was ultimately dismantled and merged. At one point, the company name was changed to Yamato Sake Brewery and continued to make sake to be supplied to the military.
During the period of high economic growth following the war, the trams were abolished only to be replaced by subways. Although more convenient, due to the influence of underground construction, well water, which is the key to sake brewing, could no longer be used.
It was also an era when many sake breweries closed due to the rise of imported spirits and beer from foreign countries.
Matsui Sake Brewery had to temporarily give up brewing but it maintained its brewing license.
On the old maps of that era, you can see the name of Matsui Sake Brewery.
Word of mouth has it that there were three sake breweries in a row at that time, and it seems that Matsui Sake Brewery was sandwiched between the other two. All of Rakuchu's sake breweries were made up of several groups and each group shared one well. Matsui belonged to the Jyoyu-gumi and shared a well (currently dismantled) in Samamatsucho, Matsuyamachi, and that connection continues even today.
However, it was not always smooth sailing.
Matsui Sake Brewery was also at the mercy of the turmoil in Kyoto at the end of the Edo period and the subsequent transfer of the capital to Tokyo.
For example, the great fire of Genji caused by the Kinmon Incident in 1864 burned down the brewery and forced dramatic changes.
After that, from the Taisho era (1912-1926) to the latter half of the Showa era (1926-1989), trams began to run in Kyoto.
Due to the expansion work, Matsui Sake Brewery was forced to relocate again.
The 13th generation owner decided to move to Yoshidakawaramachi, Sakyo-ku, our current location, in search of good quality water.
At that time, Matsui Sake Brewery acted as a branch inn that welcomed guests from all over the world for the Emperor's Great Religion Ceremony in the 4th year of the Taisho era.
However, following the militarization of Japan leading to the war, the brewery was ultimately dismantled and merged. At one point, the company name was changed to Yamato Sake Brewery and continued to make sake to be supplied to the military.
During the period of high economic growth following the war, the trams were abolished only to be replaced by subways. Although more convenient, due to the influence of underground construction, well water, which is the key to sake brewing, could no longer be used.
It was also an era when many sake breweries closed due to the rise of imported spirits and beer from foreign countries.
Matsui Sake Brewery had to temporarily give up brewing but it maintained its brewing license.
Former Brewery
Former Brewery
Resurrection
From the time of its founding to the Showa era, Matsui's sake brewers have always been Kasumi people. The 14th generation owner, Yatsukaho Matsui, decided to revive the sake brewery in 2009 but there was no sake maker.
Fortunately, by then, groundwater issues from the subway construction had cleared.
In order to secure well water more reliably, a new well (No. 2) was dug and a thorough transport system was created.
It was decided that his eldest son, Shigeki Matsui, who was in Tokyo at that time, would take charge of sake brewing. Thankfully, Kizakura Co., Ltd. had taught him the key elements of sake brewing and he received instruction at "Misugura" to become the model for brewing at Matsui Sake Brewery.
Furthermore, at the same time as the completion of the new Kamogawa Brewery, a famous Toji of the Noto guild, Mr. Ryozo Michitaka, was invited to join the team. For the next two years, they were able to provide substantial guidance directly.
In 2012, Shigeki became independent and ultimately president in 2019. At that time, he followed family tradition to become the 15th generation, Jiemon Matsui, with the determination to keep brewing sake.
Fortunately, by then, groundwater issues from the subway construction had cleared.
In order to secure well water more reliably, a new well (No. 2) was dug and a thorough transport system was created.
It was decided that his eldest son, Shigeki Matsui, who was in Tokyo at that time, would take charge of sake brewing. Thankfully, Kizakura Co., Ltd. had taught him the key elements of sake brewing and he received instruction at "Misugura" to become the model for brewing at Matsui Sake Brewery.
Furthermore, at the same time as the completion of the new Kamogawa Brewery, a famous Toji of the Noto guild, Mr. Ryozo Michitaka, was invited to join the team. For the next two years, they were able to provide substantial guidance directly.
In 2012, Shigeki became independent and ultimately president in 2019. At that time, he followed family tradition to become the 15th generation, Jiemon Matsui, with the determination to keep brewing sake.
Currently, we are purveyor to the following famous temples and shrines in Kyoto:
Toji - Michitaka Ryozo
Purveyor Signboard
Towards the 300th anniversary of our founding
It will soon be 300 years since the company was founded.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your patronage.
Not only by brewing better sake, but also by paying tribute to the community so that we can give back to society.
As a company that contributes, we will continue to strive to be better. We look forward to your continued guidance and encouragement.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your patronage.
Not only by brewing better sake, but also by paying tribute to the community so that we can give back to society.
As a company that contributes, we will continue to strive to be better. We look forward to your continued guidance and encouragement.
Company Profile
| Matsui Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. | |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-6 Yoshidakawaramachi Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8305 |
| Phone | 075-771-0246 |
| President | Matsui Jiemon |
| Opening hours | 9AM - 18PM ( Closed Sundays and Holidays ) |
Access
Subway Keihan line (Demachiyanagi station) is a 10 minute walk away.Kyoto city bus (Higashi ichijo stop) is a 10 minute walk away.
© 2006 松井酒造株式会社© 2006 MATSUI SAKE BREWERY