Inception of food culture(6)
Introduction of the Distilling Process and Creation of Shochu
There are various opinions about the introduction of shochu to Japan, but as far as the southern route is concerned, it was brought to the Ryukyu Kingdom as an export by Western European traders in the early 15th century (during the Muromachi Period).
The Ryukyu Kingdom succeeded in importing the technique for making shochu and used it to make a distilled liquor called awamori using rice. This then was taken to the main island of Kyushu as a tribute to the province of Satsuma and to the Tokugawa Shogunate.
There are records left that say Portuguese merchant Jorge Álvares, who disembarked in Satsuma Province in 1546 (during the Sengoku Period), regularly drank distilled liquor made from rice.
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Koriyama Hachiman Shrine
Koriyama Hachiman Shrine was reportedly built in 1194. The current main shrine was restored in 1507. When it was taken apart for repairs in 1954, the word “shochu” (a kind of distilled liquor) was found to have been scribbled by a carpenter on a tie beam joining pillars. This graffiti is the oldest known record of the kanji for “shochu,” so Isa is said to be the birthplace of the beverage.
Location: 1549 Okuchiota Koriyama, Isa-shi, Kagoshima
PH: 0995-23-1311 (Isa City Board of Education)
Website: Isa City (Japanese only, Google translate button on the website)
https://www.city.isa.kagoshima.jp/culture/shisetsu-bunka/shiteibunka/
Closed: Open year-round
Transportation: Approx. 8 min from Okuchi Fureai Center in the central Okuchi City by car
15 min from Okuchi Bus Center by bus
Approx. 30 min from Kyushu Jukan Expressway Kurino Interchange
Parking: available (10 cars)