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Company Name: Yoneshima
Distillery
Founded: 1948
Address: 499 Ota, Kumejima Town, Shimajiri-gun
TEL/FAX: 098-985-2326 |
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A deep attachment to the
policy of only shipping out after one year of maturing brings out
the mellow aroma and flavor.
The tradition of extensive cultivation of rice goes back longer
on Kumejima ('Kume Island'), the fourth largest island in Okinawa,
than on any of the other islands. Kumejima is known for its beautiful
scenery and traditional streets and houses, which have survived
because the island was fortunate to escape damage during World War
II. Located in a quiet village near the clear water of the Shirase
River, famous for the Kumejima fireflies, the Yoneshima distillery
is a family-operated business now in its third generation. The stream
water is used to produce awamori.
According to the third owner, Hiroshi Taba, 'it is sold only when
it becomes tasty, after maturing in a leisurely way'. Not wanting
his products to be similar to any other ordinary ones, he sticks
to the policy of storing even regular brands for at least one year
before they are bottled. The regular awamori is rich and
mellow, with the grace of kusu. Kumejima, a brand
particularly popular among the local people, was originally sold
under the name of Komeshima ('Rice Island') when the company was
established in 1948. Although the name at the time reflected the
rice production of the island, it was changed 20 years ago to Kumejima
to represent the beautiful natural surroundings: the houses with
their red roof tiles; streets lined with flowers; and the traditional
techniques of Kumejima pongee, which is said to be the origin
of tsumugi, the weaving of silk thread spun from waste cocoons.
The beauty of the island represented by Kumejima is not that
of a typical commercialized resort but something else. The fourth
generation distiller, who has already started his training at the
distillery, is sure to succeed to the traditional flavor and preserve
it with care. |
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