In this episode, Maki and Simone are once again joined by Julian Houseman, and they chat with the lovely Eiko Kodama, from Kodama Jozo in Akita Prefecture.

Kodama Jozo was founded in 1879 in picturesque Katagami City, Akita Prefecture, northwest of Japan. 

Originally, the Kodama family started their business by making soy sauce and miso for local consumers.  Production of these quality “fermented” food products represented by “Yamakyu” brands still remains an important part of Kodama Jozo’s business.

It was the second generation of the business that began brewing sake at Kodama Jozo. In 1913, Tomokichi Kodama began making sake by the name 'TAIHEIZAN' (太平山). This brand name comes from towering mountain in Akita City, Mt. Taihei (“Great Peaceful Mountain”) which for centuries has been the area’s spiritual symbol.

Eiko Kodama is married to the 5th generation, and current, president of Kodama Jozo, Shinichiro Kodama.

Both Eiko and Shin have been guests on the TWTT Project twice: for session #12 in August 2020, and again for session #61 in October 2021.

Earlier this year, Simone had the fortunate pleasure of visiting the Kodamas at their brewery in Akita Prefecture.

Earlier this month, Eiko made her first trip to Australia, visiting Melbourne, (Simone's hometown), for the Australian Sake Festival, held at Queen Victoria Market.

We chat to Eiko about her first time in Australia, the Australian Sake Festival, her family's sake and brewery, and learn a little about what she was doing before marrying into a sake brewery family.

It's always a delight to chat with Eiko, and we hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as we enjoyed having it.

A huge thank you to our subscribers at Patreon

More information about Taste with the Toji - The Project can be found on our website: https://tastewiththetoji.com/

Music by: Kazuyoshi Sato (Koikawa Shuzo)

Other links from this episode:

https://www.kodamajozo.co.jp/en/

https://sake-festival.com.au/melbourne

https://australiansakeawards.org.au/en/

https://qvm.com.au/

https://komeyui.com.au/melbourne/

https://www.supersake.com.au/

https://www.philipperestaurant.com.au/

https://sakeassociation.org/2019/07/a-history-of-sake-brewing-in-brazil/