The Birth of Sake

[velotrain]

I just noticed that my local PBS station is showing this new program in the POV series tonight.

 

Typical of PBS, there isn't much description, but this is what they say:

 

"Behind-the-scenes of Japan's Yoshida Brewery, where artisans ages 20-70 learn how to make sake, Japan's rice wine."

[velotrain]

I enthusiastically recommend this program to anyone in the U.S. with access to a PBS channel.  The premiere was last night, but based on prior experience PBS will broadcast it again in the coming weeks.  Based on the Yoshida site, it has been shown in theaters in Japan:

 

http://www.tedorigawa.com/

 

I gather Yoshida is one of perhaps two remaining traditional sake brewers in Japan, with much of the process done by hand.  While the brewery is called Yoshida, the sake brand name is Tedorigawa.  Besides this being a handsomely filmed and edited work, I was quite surprised by the life of the sake makers.

 

The work cycle is October-April, and all of the men live and work in a communal fashion at the brewery during this period, leaving their homes and families for half the year.  The brewmaster celebrates his 69th birthday in the film, and is training his grandson to take over his role.  Most of the footage is of the brewing process and life in the brewery - including the shared meals and occasional party, but they also show the son of the president traveling to Tokyo to promote their brand, and there are a few images of the "outside world".

 

Truly a magical 90 minutes.

 

Here are three sites I found about the film, and there are no doubt many others:

 

http://www.birthofsake.com/

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/18/movies/review-in-the-birth-of-sake-a-brew-made-with-pride-and-lots-of-patience.html?_r=0

 

http://www.thewayofwords.com/japan-travel-culture/tedorigawa-yoshida-sake-the-birth-of-sake.php

 

 

[velotrain]

Streaming on the PBS site through Sept. 19 -

 

http://www.pbs.org/pov/thebirthofsake/

[cteno4]

Well it's a plus living in DC for stuff like This!

 

http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/events/birth-of-sake.html

 

Probably going to try to go down, although these fill up fast and can be packed to the gills! They do a lot of films that are interesting. Can be a little dicy getting in with the metro work of late though and that adds like $7 with metro and parking.

 

It's playing again on the 11th here on pbs.

 

Thanks Charles!

 

Jeff

[nscalestation]

It's also on Netflix.  I've had it in my list for some time now thinking it would be something my wife and I could watch together.  Seeing the positive review posted here I know we will.  Thanks !