Solace and Sake: Chūson-ji Temple and Sekinoichi Shuzo share centuries of tradition in Iwate

3.11 EXPLORING FUKUSHIMA: This feature is part of an original Milwaukee Independent editorial series that documented the 13th anniversary of the "Great East Japan Earthquake," tsunami, and nuclear accident, including the conditions of both the people and places that remain affected by the disaster across the Tōhoku region. mkeind.com/exploringfukushima

The story of two remarkable places woven together by history, culture, and an unspoken bond that bridges the tangible with the spiritual can be found in Iwate Prefecture along the northeastern coast of Japan.

One is Sekinoichi Shuzo, a venerable sake brewery with roots deep in the Edo period, and the other is Chūson-ji Temple, a spiritual haven established in the 9th century.

The connection between a master in the art of making fermented rice alcohol and a beacon of Buddhist faith is not obvious at first. But the relationship is a profound testament to Japanese heritage, culture, and tradition.

In 1921, Sekinoichi Shuzo embraced the legacy of sake brewing from predecessors who had honed the craft since the Edo period. This brewery is not just a place where sake is produced. It is a living museum of architectural and cultural evolution.

Its stone storehouses were designed by Yusuke Ohara, a disciple of Kingo Tatsuno who designed Tokyo Station. The design incorporates a style called Taisho Modern, which was popular in Japan during the Taisho era that combined a fusion of Western influence and traditional Japanese style. It echoes the brewery’s philosophy of blending the old with the new.

“Sake was originally made as an offering to the gods,” said Masaaki Toki, Sekinoichi Shuzo’s Sales Department Manager. “It is a spiritual culture with a history of more than 1,000 years. We dedicate sake to Yasukuni Shrine and Chuson-ji Temple.”

The company was named after one of the imperial families, Kaninnomiya Zahito, who stopped by and told the founder to “make sake that would please the people of the world.”

The main building of the brewery restaurant is 109 years old. In the past, the koji was fermented there. Currently, the first floor is a beer hall, and craft beer is made on the second floor.

“Cracks in the walls were caused by the earthquake. Repairs are still ongoing even now,” said Toki. “Our beers are different from American craft beers in that we use English IPAs. Using our brewing skills and knowledge, our beers have won many international awards. They are popular among young people, and some even come to Iwate just for our beer.”

The museum building is a renovated two-story earthen building, one of the largest in Tohoku. It had previously been used as a brewing warehouse. Toki gave Milwaukee Independent a tour of the facility in March, introducing the process of sake brewing.

“The museum has over 1,600 tools that have been used in the sake production process, as well as a toji room dedicated to the god of sake, Matsuo no Taimeijin,” said Toki. “The tools on display were actually used to make sake until 40 years ago.”

About 8 miles away and perched atop a hill in Hiraizumi, Chūson-ji Temple stands as an ancient symbol of the quest for peace and the pursuit of the “Buddhist Pure Land.” Founded by the monk Ennin around 850, the temple gained prominence under the Fujiwara clan which envisioned it as a paradise on earth to honor both friend and foe lost in battle.

The temple’s crown jewel, a Golden Hall called the Konjikidō, is a masterpiece of Heian period art and entirely covered in gold leaf. It reflected the opulence and artistic zenith of the era. Chūson-ji, with its tranquil gardens and stunning architecture, is not just a place of worship but a testament to the spiritual aspirations of its founders.

Chuson-ji Temple is one of five components that make up the World Heritage Site of Hiraizumi, which was registered by UNESCO in 2011.

The Temple’s fortunes changed drastically in the succeeding Kamakura period. In 1337, a great fire consumed many of the temple’s halls, pagodas, and treasures. However, more than 3,000 National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties survived. The significance of Chūson-ji’s treasures is that they form an integrated collection of many different crafts, including lacquerwork, woodwork, metalwork, dyeing, and calligraphy. Combined the collection represents the pinnacle of Heian period Buddhist art in eastern Japan.

The bond between Sekinoichi Shuzo and Chūson-ji Temple might not be immediately evident, yet it runs deep and is rooted in shared values and a collective heritage. Both institutions stand as custodians of tradition, each in its own realm.

In addition to the brewery’s donation of sake to the Temple, one of the sake brands carries the Chūson-ji’s namesake and iconic symbol. The connection also highlights the broader isues of resilience and adaptation. Just as Chūson-ji has withstood the test of time, surviving periods of turmoil to remain a beacon of faith, Sekinoichi Shuzo has navigated the challenges of modernity, preserving the essence of sake brewing while embracing innovation and economic changes.

Together they share a narrative of continuity amidst change, embodying the soul of Iwate and the enduring allure of Japanese culture. It is a story that captivates not just by the legacy of each institution but by the threads that bind them — a shared devotion to preserving the past while engaging with the present.

Visitors to Sekinoichi Shuzo can savor the taste of centuries-old brewing techniques, followed by a journey to Chūson-ji Temple for a moment of reflection amid the splendors of Heian art and architecture.

Each place in its own way invites the public to appreciate the depth and richness of Japanese heritage, offering a reminder that the beautiful tradition of preservation depends on the ongoing dialogue between the past and the future.

The story of Sekinoichi Shuzo and Chūson-ji Temple tells a vibrant tapestry of cultural resilience, spiritual devotion, and the timeless pursuit of excellence. It is a narrative that transcends the mere production of sake or the practice of Buddhist rituals, reaching into the heart of what it means to honor and keep alive the spirit of a place and its people.