The film "THE BIRTH OF SAKE"

Join us for Honolulu’s premier of the award-winning documentary film, “The Birth of Sake,” which follows the winter brewing season at Yoshida Shuzo, a family-owned brewery that has made sake under the “Tedorigawa" label for the last 144 years. Using traditional methods, a closely knit team toils for six months of the year without a break under the watchful eye of the toji, or master brewer. The film provides a fascinating glimpse into the daily lives of these kurabito, or brewery workers.

The film’s two central figures will be on hand to answer questions after the screening. Yasuyuki Yoshida, 28, is being groomed as the next master brewer and company president. His mentor Teruyuki Yamamoto, 68, has been making sake for fifty-five years and has been Tedorigawa’s toji since 1999. Director Erik Shirai, cinematographer for The Travel Channel’s “No Reservations” with Anthony Bourdain, is flying in from New York to introduce the film.

Following the screening there is an additional treat. Several of the Tedorigawa sakes featured in the film will be available for tasting in the patio area outside the theater. Mahalo to World Sake Imports for providing the Tedorigawa sake!