"WA（harmony） is the Greatest Virtue"

Over 1,400 years ago, Prince Shotoku emphasized the importance of wa (harmony) in the opening lines of Japan's Seventeen-Article Constitution. This single character, 和, represents a concept central to the Japanese spirit—a beautiful word that embodies the essence of Japanese values.

Since ancient times, rice and sake have been at the heart of Japanese culture. According to mythology, the sun goddess Amaterasu sent rice down to earth with Ninigi no Mikoto, bringing rice cultivation to humanity. Meanwhile, Susanoo defeated the legendary serpent Yamata-no-Orochi by giving it sake. Even today, sake plays a sacred role in Japanese rituals: it is offered at shrines as omiki (sacred sake), and in wedding ceremonies, the couple drinks sake to pledge their vows to the Gods. For Japanese people, sake is more than a drink—it’s a connection to the deity.

In the past, "sake" referred specifically to what is now known as nihonshu, or Japanese rice wine. But over the years, the word has come to mean all alcoholic beverages. Interestingly, however, international audiences now refer to nihonshu specifically as "sake."

At WASAKE, we hope to share Japan’s sake culture and the spirit of "Wa" with friends from around the world. Through this experience, we warmly invite you to discover the rich history, traditions, and culture of Japan—something we feel honored to share with others.