Happy Birthday Sake Samurai of New York!
Happy birthday Tim!! You are sooo SAKE SAMURAI!!!
Kagami Biraki of Nanbu Bijin and huge birthday cake with Hakkaisan Junmai Ginjo picture!
<Kagami Biraki (鏡開き) is a Japanese traditional ceremony which literally translates to “Opening the Mirror” (from an abstinence) or, also, “Breaking of the Mochi.” It traditionally falls on January 11 (odd numbers are associated with being good luck in Japan) but, in practice outside of Japan, generally occurs around that date. It is generally the first important event of the year after New Years Day. It refers to the opening of a Kagami mochi, or to the opening of a cask of Sake at a party or ceremony.>
Sake And The Sundance Film Festival Photos
My friend Ayumi Sakamoto is a great photographer. My husband and her husband are good friends and both are editors of the movie Blue Valentine. We traveled all together during Sundance film festival 2010 in Park City.
Photos by A Y U M I SAKAMOTO
”農魂” Farmer’s Spirit in New York –Hakubai Restaurant Kitano Hotel–
I’m very proud of working for Japanese organic farm Kanazawa Daichi! They visited New York for introducing their organic products such as miso, soy souse, barley tea, udon noodles, and of course sake! Their soybean, wheat, and rice are certified organic by JAS(Japan Agricultural Standard), NOP(National Organic Program) and EU organic.
Their sake organic Junmai “Akira” is made with their organic Mitsuhikari rice, which is grown and certified organic in Japan. The name “Akira” is from the name of the chairperosn of Kanazawa Daichi Mr. Akira Imura, who is 68 years old. His farming practice focuses on : safety, affordable prices, and a continuous supply of delicious and stable agricultural farm products. Akira Imura has been farming rice, wheat, soybean, and vegetables for over 50 years in a large area of reclaimed land known as “Kahokugata”, a suburb of Kanazawa city in Ishikawa prefecture. Kanazawa Daichi also produces tofu, miso, and soy sauce all made with their organic ingredients and traditional methods handed down for generations. This is Mr. Akira Imura’s fifty-second year farming rice. Mr. Imura says there is nothing he would change about his life. He continues to grow and harvest rice and keep a strong connection to the true spirit of farming.
Junmai Akira, you will feel the power of pure, natural rice with your very first sip. Quite robust, a touch rugged and with a bitter undertone…. These flavors immediately bring to mind the beauty of a vast Japanese rice field. I highly recommend Akira Sake be served warm, in the range of 98F – 108F. You’ll find the flavor to be very mild and creamy, yet still having a nice bitterness and acidity, much as you would enjoy with a Yamahai or Kimoto style sake. Akira has an exciting, new flavor, but also remains true to the traditional taste of Japanese sake. I want everyone to know…. Akira is one of the best sakes in the world for serving warm!
We had a special party at authentic Japanese restaurant Hakubai New York on February, 3rd. Hakubai was renewed end of January. I love Hakubai, but new Hakubai is soooo beautiful!! Food is wonderful as always, but the atmosphere is brighter and more modern classic now. You have to try!
I produced their first New York tour, and had great tasting events with the farmers in New York. It was unforgettable days! So many people enjoyed and felt their farmer’s spirits!! See the pictures!! Farmer’s spirits made them big smile!!
They are looking for importers and distributors for US market. If you are interested in their products, let them know!
photos by Atsushi Nishijima
Sake And The Sundance Film Festival!
I had been in Park City for Sundance film festival for this last few days. My husband is film maker, and he edited one of the movies “Blue Valentine“. We had a great party with the crew, including Ryan Gosling and Michalle Williams. It was wonderful night!!
The movie is very beautiful and sad… so real love story. Ryan and Michalle are awesome! They made me cry a lot!
We wish Blue Valentine will get awarded….!
Anticipate the Spring with Nanbu Bijin’s Namazake
New Year Party at Bohemian 1.1.2010
Great start for 2010 with great friends, family, and Sake!!
Happy New Year! 2o1o!
We had a great time for the countdown party at Bohemian NY with Nanbu Bijin Kagamibiraki sake!
Akemasite Omedeto Gozaimasu. Kotoshi mo douzo yorosiku onegaisimasu!! (Typical Japanese phrase…basically means ” Happy New Year!!”)
Chizuko Niikawa-Helton
photo by Sake Samurai Timothy Sullivan
Japanese Hot Pots Party at Matsuri
Wintere Blues? Strike Back Winter Warm Nanbu Bijin
The Ninth Autumn Akita Sake Tasting Event Photos
My photographer JIMA took so many great pictures! Some of pictures are little out of focus though… he was drunk???
