World-renowned potter Tsujimura Shiro talks about his thoughts on the phantom 5-year-aged sake 'ZUI' born in the cultural heritage site Minato River Tunnel in an exclusive video

World-renowned potter Tsujimura Shiro talks about the origin of his creation and his encounter with 'ZUI'.

The naturally curved (wine cellar) of the registered tangible cultural property 'Minato River Tunnel' nurtures only 3,000 bottles a year of the aged sake 'ZUI'. This project, which uses the famous sake 'Fukujyu' from Nada Gogo as the base sake, is a challenge to sustainable aging that is environmentally friendly and does not emit CO2, and at the same time, it is a Japanese sake innovation project aimed at supporting the preservation of cultural properties and the succession of regional culture for the future.

In particular, the phantom 5-year-aged sake 'ZUI SAKE 2020 Child Aged 5 years old', which has been sleeping in this silent space since the project's launch in 2020, is an extremely rare item with an even more limited quantity.

This time, a special interview video series 'ZUI Premium Interview', which delves into the deep thoughts and philosophy of various artists who resonate with and support the ideals of 'ZUI', has begun.

The first guest of honor is Tsujimura Shiro, known worldwide as a potter, and can be viewed on the official YouTube channel and brand site.

Incidentally, we also plan to feature renowned artists who resonate with the project from the second episode onwards.

Main video (YouTube): https://youtu.be/gHkSUzifZzg

Brand site: https://zuisakefromkobe-ko.jp/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zui_kobe/

Broadcast schedule and guests (6 episodes planned in total)

First episode: Tsujimura Shiro (pottery) *now on air

Second episode: Harumi Nagamatsu (Gallery Subaru)

Third episode: Hiro Kado (Kami-zoe)

Fourth episode: Takeshi Anfuku (Representative Director, Kobe Shoshinkan Co., Ltd.)

Fifth episode: Minoru Nishida (Bar Kaoru)

Sixth episode: Shinji Watanabe (Representative Director, Hayakoma Co., Ltd.)

About 'ZUI Premium Interview'

'ZUI' is not just a sake brand.

It is a 'cultural succession project' that weaves the history, culture, art, and thoughts of the people of Kobe into the future. We have launched this project to leave behind the testimonies of the artists as video archives in order to widely disseminate the traces of the great challenge and the philosophy of the project both domestically and internationally.

With Kobe Port as the stage, Hayakoma Co., Ltd. President Shinji Watanabe, who leads the rediscovery of regional resources and the promotion of new cultural dissemination, will serve as the interviewer, carefully unraveling the backgrounds of the artists, the thoughts behind their creations, and their resonance with 'ZUI' through heated dialogue.

[First Guest: World-renowned potter Tsujimura Shiro]

In this interview, we talked about the origin of creation, dialogue with the earth, and the essence of beauty. We also delved deeply into the thoughts behind the calligraphy of 'child (ne)' on the 'ZUI' label, the encounter with the modern industrial heritage 'Minato River Tunnel', and the background of the birth of the 'black cup' specially made for this project.

'Vessels are not to be loved and appreciated, but are originally the beauty of utensils.'

In order to create vessels that tickle the human essence, we pursued 'sake cups' that go beyond the framework of general sake vessels and are extremely particular about the thinness of the mouth. The philosophy of Mr. Tsujimura, which deeply impressed the interviewer Mr. Watanabe, is revealed through relentless technology to bring the image to shape and an uncompromising attitude towards making things.

The joy of savoring the ultimate drop of 'ZUI', which is once in a lifetime, with a sake cup filled with Mr. Tsujimura's passion. The video delves into the essence of this miraculous collaboration.

What is 'ZUI SAKE 2020 Child Aged 5 years old'?

The 'Minato River Tunnel', which was once the first modern river tunnel in Japan and protected the city and port of Kobe from disasters, is now a registered tangible cultural property. This silent space is also a natural aging environment where the temperature and humidity are kept constant throughout the year.

This special Japanese sake, which has been carefully nurtured for 5 years in this historic space, is 'ZUI SAKE 2020 Child Aged 5 years old'.

This project is being carried out as a sustainable luxury sake project aimed at supporting the preservation of cultural properties and the succession of regional culture, in collaboration with Hayakoma Co., Ltd., Kobe Shoshinkan Co., Ltd., Minato River Tunnel Preservation Friends Association, and Hyogo Prefecture.

'Sustainable Luxury' is a new concept of luxury that balances consideration for the environment and cultural succession with high-quality experience value, which has recently been attracting attention overseas.

About Hayakoma

Hayakoma Co., Ltd., established in 1885, has supported the development of the region together with the Port of Kobe for 140 years. While engaging in the succession of regional culture and the creation of new value, the Minato River Tunnel stored sake 'ZUI' was born.

Based on respect and the spirit of challenge for the Port of Kobe, we are challenging the creation of new culture to inherit historical heritage to the future.

Hayakoma Co., Ltd.

5-4 Bancho-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0042

Company HP: https://www.hayakoma.com/

[Inquiries regarding this press release]

Kobe Waterfront Business Department Planning and Public Relations Strategy Team

TEL: 078-321-0154

Email: kikaku@hayakoma.com