The Power, Bottled.

Samurai Sake is back—an unparalleled masterpiece that embodies the soul of Japan! The ultimate sake ideal, forged across 400 years of time and tradition.

A cup brimming with unyielding strength—crafted for the samurai who relentlessly pursues mastery of both palate and spirit. This extraordinary elixir, forged from centuries of unparalleled craftsmanship and cutting-edge brewing science, epitomizes the samurai’s pride, indomitable courage, and innovative drive to conquer new frontiers. Raise your cup high with this supreme Samurai Sake, honoring the two historical titans who stand as its spiritual pillars.
Each potent drop is infused with tradition and might, delivering a bold and profound umami depth that embodies the essence of authenticity.

“RYOAN LEGEND 2012 Junmai Daiginjo-DOUBLE UMAMI FINISH - Umami Grand Cru” New Release!

A Legacy of Supporting Sendai's Samurai Warlord, Date Masamune

Sendai Isawa Family Katsuyama Sake Brewery Co., Ltd., which has a history of over 330 years as the official sake brewer for the Sendai Domain founded by the feudal lord Date Masamune, released RYOAN LEGEND 2012 Junmai Daiginjo-DOUBLE UMAMI FINISH - Umami Grand Cru on December, 2024. This sake, crafted by unraveling a recipe from 300 years ago, achieves a quality that extracts "twice the umami components of rice" through Katsuyama Brewery's unique centrifugal pressing method. Then, through 12 years of ice aging at minus 5 degrees Celsius, this sake has reached a level of maturity brought about by time.

Shaped by Date Masamune's legacy as a samurai leader and cultural patron, Sendai embodies his vision through international exchange and crafts like Sendai Tansu. Katsuyama Sake Brewery, the Date family's official brewery for over 300 years, honors this heritage while crafting globally renowned sake.

Winner of Prestigious Sake Competitions Worldwide!

Katsuyama Sake Brewery has earned numerous accolades. Junmai Ginjo "Ken" topped the SAKE COMPETITION in 2015 and 2016 and was Champion Sake at the 2019 London IWC. That year, Junmai Daiginjo "Den" won the President Sake title at France's KURA MASTER. Flagship Junmai Daiginjo "Akatsuki" scored 95 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate in 2016, ranked first among 800 new sakes, and placed second in the 2024 SAKE COMPETITION Super Premium category.

An Uniquely Exceptional Sake, Reviving a 300-Year-Old Recipe

The theme "Ryoan" honors Heizaemon Isawa, the sixth-generation owner of Katsuyama Sake Brewery, who played a key role in Sendai's growth. His restoration of Zuihō-ji, the Date family's ancestral temple, preserved traditional culture. Inspired by the legacies of Masamune and Heizaemon, RYOAN LEGEND 2012 Junmai Daiginjo embodies Sendai's history, Samurai’s pride, and innovation.

Inspired by Edo-period (1603-1868) sake recipes, this sake combines tradition and innovation. Using historical methods, it amplifies umami, unlocking rice's potential for a rich, smooth finish. Made from 2012 Yamada Nishiki Special A rice, grown near Mount Izumigatake with silica-rich water, it reflects Katsuyama’s unique terroir. With centrifugal extraction and 12 years of cold aging, it achieves a perfect balance of depth, umami, and crispness. Presented in a handcrafted Sendai Tansu, this limited release of 50 sets offers an unparalleled experience of premium rice’s sake.

The Encounter of Two Visionaries

As the sole surviving official purveyor to the Sendai Domain’s DATE family, Katsuyama Brewery’s eighth-generation head, Heizaemon Isawa—known as Ryōan—led the family business to prosperity during the tumultuous times of war and the Great Depression. His life was dedicated to the political, economic, industrial, and cultural development of Sendai and Miyagi. He dedicated himself to the restoration of the temples and shrines of the Lord DATE Family, exemplifying the Buddhist principle of “Philanthropy by the Wealthy” as a devout Buddhist. Notably, he invested his personal wealth to boldly reorganize the financial sector, founding the largest bank in northeastern Japan and contributing to the stability of Sendai and Miyagi’s economy. He left an indelible mark on his homeland, rightfully earning the title of “Restorer of Modern Sendai.”

DATE Masamune was an exceptional warlord and ruler of the Sendai domain, as well as a patron of the arts. His successful development of new rice fields transformed Sendai into one of Japan’s premier rice-producing regions. Diplomatically, he dispatched the Keichō Embassy to Europe, engaging with the Spanish monarchy and the Vatican. Under cultural preservation policies, numerous traditional performing arts and crafts have been perpetuated to this day. Notably, the esteemed “Sendai Tansu” chests stands as a testament to the masterful techniques of carving, lacquerware, and metalwork. As the founder of the Sendai domain, he laid the foundation for what is now the largest city in northeastern Japan.

The foresight and eventful lives of these two pioneers fostered the development and traditions of their homeland, bringing enduring prosperity to Sendai.

RYOAN LEGEND Junmai Daiginjo-DOUBLE UMAMI FINISH - Umami Grand Cru

Inspired by the diverse sake recipes of the Edo period and infused with the adventurous spirit of Date Masamune—a renowned samurai and epicure— this sake embodies a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. By meticulously selecting historical brewing methods, we have doubled the umami essence, unveiling the miraculous potential hidden within rice. This results in an unparalleled variety of rich flavors and a powdery-smooth finish, akin to fine glucose crystals, capturing the very essence of premium rice sake.

This masterpiece is crafted from Yamada Nishiki Special A rice harvested during the exceptional 2012 season, paired with the pristine natural resources of Sendai. Located 20 kilometers northwest of the Sendai city center, at the base of Mount Izumigatake (elevation 1,175 meters), lies a rice field with an 800-year legacy. This area is nourished by underground soft water rich in silica, an ideal water quality for sake brewing, which imparts a distinctive character and texture to Katsuyama’s sake. Utilizing Katsuyama’s unique centrifugal extraction method, we achieve a remarkable balance between profound richness and a crisp, clean finish. This innovative technique allows for a concentration of umami flavors while maintaining an unparalleled smoothness.

Aged for 12 years under meticulous ice-cold storage, this sake reaches a level of maturity that only time can bestow. The superior quality of the rice, combined with long-term aging, reveals a depth and complexity that elevate this sake to the pinnacle of Japanese brewing artistry. RYOAN LEGEND is elegantly housed in a specially crafted Sendai Tansu, a cultural legacy of Lord DATE Masamune. This exclusive release is limited to only 50 sets worldwide. It is an indulgence worthy of the most discerning connoisseurs, offering a truly unique experience that transcends traditional sake, allowing you to savor the truly distinctive and concentrated essence of rice’s overwhelming umami.