大門酒蔵の歴史 DAIMON BREWERY HISTORY
交野が原の豊かな自然と歴史に育まれてきた大門酒造
清少納言が枕草子で、「野はかた野、、」とそのたおやかな風情を讃えた交野が原。
大阪府の北東部、奈良との県境に横たわる生駒山系の山並みの麓に広がるこの一帯は、京の公家や公達が狩や花見に遊び、その感興を詩歌に託した地として知られています。
また、古くから稲作を中心とした農耕文化が栄えた土地でもありました。
その一端に所在する「むくね村」で大門酒造が創業したのは文政九年（1826）のことでした。
創業者の名は、半左衛門喜之。裏山から湧き出る清冽な仕込水。交野が原の沃野で収穫された良質な米。それらを使って酒を仕込み、近在の衆に呑んでいただき一家を成したい。その屋号を酒半と称した若き起業家は、この青雲の志を持って酒造人渡世に踏み出しました。
この創業者の熱き思いを受け継ぎ、爾来六代、百九十有余年の星霜を数える今日まで、いろいろな時代の波に揺られながらも酒造り一筋に励んで参りました。
私どもはこの歴史と代々受け継いだ伝統を礎として、これからも交野の地酒、上方の酒として豊かな日本酒の文化の中で皆様に愛でていただける酒造りを目指して参ります。
これからもどうぞお引き立ていただきますようお願いいたします。
A Tale from Katano
Our Brewery hails from a beautiful area in Osaka Prefecture called Kita-Kawachi. This area is famous for its many caves and archeological sites that date back from the Jomon Era (before 300 BC) and Yayoi Era (between 300 BC and 300 AD). An ancient place of royalty, many of the Tombs found in the area are believed to be of high ranking and royal people. In the Hirakata area, we also find strong influences from China and Korea from around the 6th century. The people from these areas brought their arts, religion and technology to Japan. More recently in the Heian Era (794 to 1192 AD) aristocrats from Kyoto came to this area to enjoy hunting and flower viewing. Famous writers of poetry, like Seishonagon and Murasakishikibu, have penned tributes to our special area.
At Daimon Brewery, we are proud of our heritage. Our brewery was established in 1826, at the foot of the IKOMA mountain range. At the time, our tiny hamlet was called “Mukune Village”, a name coined by our brewery’s ancestor Hanzaemon Yoshiyuki. Daimon Brewery has brewed sake in the area ever since. In fact, we are among the only two breweries remaining from those days who have survived into modern times.
About 1,300 years ago, the region was managed aggressively by government decree (Taikanokaishin). With an emphasis on farming, this area drove great prosperity in the region. Specifically the rice produced here was keenly appreciated for it’s high quality. It was called “Katano Rice”, and it was sold at premium prices in Japan’s thriving marketplace. Naturally enough, the high-grade of Katano Rice, together with the pure water flowing abundantly from the surrounding mountains, sparked the birth of Japan’s Sake industry. By the mid-Edo Period (around 1700 AD) around 100 breweries were making sake in the area.
With our focus still on brewing Sake from Katano Rice and mountain fresh water, we believe that we are one of the most unique breweries in the whole Kansai region. This is why we keep our “Big Gate” open for all to come and visit. We welcome enthusiasts from around the globe to see our special part of the world and to take part of our long history.
Come all - Brew Well, Drink Well, Live Well!