They said the salt left by the March 11 tsunami had left his paddies barren, but Kazuyoshi Otomo, a 67-year-old farmer in Sendai's Wakabayashi Ward, refused to believe them.
They said the salt left by the March 11 tsunami had left his paddies barren, but Kazuyoshi Otomo, a 67-year-old farmer in Sendai's Wakabayashi Ward, refused to believe them.
Now, the backbreaking drudgery of repeatedly working the soil to try to desalinate it has been rewarded with a top-quality sake made from rice from the fields.
At the request of Nakayu Sake Brewery Co. in Kami, Miyagi Prefecture, Otomo provided 2.5 tons of "Hitomebore" rice from his surprisingly large harvest. Nakayu made it into "Tensho Joenden Saibaimai Fukko no Sake."
That roughly translates as: "Heaven commends: Sake of rebuilding using rice cultured on desalinated paddies."
"I would be gratified if it can help with rebuilding," Otomo said.
"The sake's finish is light-tasting, fragrant and refreshing," said Shinrokuro Amae, 71, of Nakayu Sake Brewery. "I want our customers to take a sip of the passion of the farmer who bravely fought the salt damage."
Shipments will be limited to 3,750 720-milliliter bottles, each selling at 1,500 yen ($18.70).