Isojiman Brewery Sake

Established in 1830, Isojiman Shuzo was first used by a major landowner in Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture to collect and transport the annual rice tax and pay their samurais' wages. Surplus rice from this resulted in the brewery making sake for high commercial value. However, with the post-war farmland liberation policy, brewing sake became the primary occupation. To meet the increased demand, a "vat purchasing" system was introduced that let major manufactures buy and blend whole vats of sake, adjust the taste, and sell them under their own brand name. This allowed the breweries to concentrate solely on production, but it led to Isojiman's absence from the top-brand Sakes.