Type
Imanishi Seibei Shoten · Nara
Harushika Junmai Ginjo Namazake "Shiboribana"
$45.00
No sales tax — Oregon
Rice
Fukunohana (Hyogo)
Prefecture
Nara
Flavor profileEach scale is our tasting-room read on where this bottle sits between two extremes — dry to sweet, light to full-bodied, soft to acidic, and subtle to aromatic. These are subjective, however, and will shift with food, serveware & temp.
DrySweetBalanced dry: reads as dry, with a little bit of softness, or maybe a fruit/brown sugar note that tempers the impression of dryness. Most people will read "2" as dry.
LightFullLight: lean and easy, mellow, has enough flavor and umami to give it character but generally really easy to drink. This is the most common weight for junmai ginjo/ginjo sake.
SoftAcidicSoft: the most common degree of acidity for sake. A little bit of acidity to give it structure and keep the flavor refreshing, but acidity isn't an important part of its identity.
SubtleAromaticAromatic: aroma is a big part of this sake's character and design. Perfume fills the glass. Usually "4" aroma is coming from ginjo-ka (fruit, florals).
Pairs with
Despite the use of mellow #7 yeast, the nose is Very Ginjo: strawberry, melon, fresh mochi dusted with rice flour. Anything mint: a minty eggplant babaghanoush, a hefty dollop of mint yogurt, Spring peas and favas with mint, is a great place to start. Warmed gently to 120 is real nice, too!
2026: Like ripe melon & sanrio gum, there's a nostalgic, fun side to this sake which makes its serious textural side that much more interesting. Notes of almond cream, frozen custard, silken tofu & meringue with a fresh lemongrass and pandan finish. Pair with thai-style ceviche: koi pla/ yum pla dib!
Opening up dramatically in the first 48 hours, Shiboribana-- a portmanteau of shibori (press/wring) and hana (flower)-- is a bright, Kansai rendition of Nanbu Toji technique. The Nanbu Toji of Iwate are famous for their cold-temp fermentations, resulting in citrusy yet restrained aromatics, light body, and powdery soft sweetness. The Southern, Kansai aspect becomes apparent in the use of Fukunohana rice, a rare Hyogo variety. Fukunohana was popular inthe 1980’s, but it’s too soft-- it dissolves in the mash very easily-- which makes
truly light, crisp sake impossible to achieve, but also results in rich body even when young. “The taste can also change depending on the time of preparation for brewing it, something that I find particularly fascinating,” said Kitao-san of Ota Shuzo.
Opening up dramatically in the first 48 hours, Shiboribana-- a portmanteau of shibori (press/wring) and hana (flower)-- is a bright, Kansai rendition of Nanbu Toji technique. The Nanbu Toji of Iwate are famous for their cold-temp fermentations, resulting in citrusy yet restrained aromatics, light body, and powdery soft sweetness. The Southern, Kansai aspect becomes apparent in the use of Fukunohana rice, a rare Hyogo variety. Fukunohana was popular inthe 1980’s, but it’s too soft-- it dissolves in the mash very easily-- which makes
truly light, crisp sake impossible to achieve, but also results in rich body even when young. “The taste can also change depending on the time of preparation for brewing it, something that I find particularly fascinating,” said Kitao-san of Ota Shuzo.
2025: A gorgeous, aromatic sake with high-toned herbal notes: pineapple mint, sweet cicely, ouzo, wisteria. A juicy, fruity palate comes through-- watermelon, juicy green melon, rainier cherry, greengage plum-- while deep, clean umami notes of fresh silken tofu & almond milk carry a charming finish.
The texture is lightly fizzy, silky, but also gently weighted with a rich core of umami. The finish is long-lasting, with notes of pfeffernusse and tea sweets.
Ground shipping is $25 to $40, free at 12 bottles.
Free pickup at our Portland shop. An adult (21+) with photo ID must be present for delivery.
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Specifications
Shipping
Ships to most states, not Alaska, Hawaii or Utah. No sales tax (Oregon). Free Ground shipping at 12 bottles. Pickup at our Portland shop is free.
Pick up in person
Shop open Tu–Sun. Order online and pick up at the shop — 107 SE Washington St. #121, Portland, Oregon.
