Jōkigen Junmai Ginjō Shikomi Yonjūichigō Muroka Namagenshu Konshin

Jōkigen Junmai Ginjō Batch No. 41 Muroka Namagenshu Konshin (上喜元 純米吟醸 仕込41号 無濾過生原酒「渾身」) is one of Sakata Shuzō's flagship seasonal releases from Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture. Produced each year under the name "Konshin", meaning roughly "with full devotion" or "with all one's soul", the sake is regarded as one of the brewery's most carefully crafted expressions.

Brewed as a junmai ginjō muroka nama genshu, the sake is unfiltered, unpasteurised, and undiluted, preserving its freshness and full flavour profile. Yamada Nishiki is used for kōji rice, while kakemai is made from specially selected sake-brewing rice. The rice is polished to 55%.

Sakata Shuzō describes the sake as a harmonious balance of aroma, umami, acidity, and texture. It opens with a gentle and natural ginjō aroma, carrying soft sweetness and fresh notes without becoming overly fragrant. On the palate, a clear and refined entry gives way to juicy umami and mild sweetness, supported by clean acidity and a lightly dry finish. Although full-bodied in style, the overall impression remains smooth and well-balanced, with a crisp aftertaste that keeps the sake highly approachable.

With an alcohol content of 16%, a sake meter value of +1, and an acidity level of 1.6, Konshin combines richness with freshness in a style that appeals both to experienced sake drinkers and those newer to premium sake. The brewery presents it as a straightforward and expressive sake whose balance and drinkability have made it one of Jōkigen's standout annual releases.

Sakata Shuzō (酒田酒造) is located in the historic port city of Sakata (酒田) in Yamagata Prefecture. This city prospered for centuries through maritime trade along the Sea of Japan. During the Edo period , Sakata became one of northern Japan's leading commercial centres and was often described as "the Sakai of the East" (Higashi no Sakata, Nishi no Sakai), likening its prosperity to that of the great merchant city of Sakai near Osaka. Wealthy merchants flourished there, and alongside this commercial culture, a rich sake-brewing tradition also developed.

The brewery's best-known label, Jōkigen (上喜元), means "great happiness" or "high spirits". The name reflects the idea that sake exists close to people's daily lives and celebrations, making moments of joy even more joyful. According to the brewery, the label conveys the belief that drinking good sake naturally puts people in a cheerful, contented mood.

The present company was established in 1946, shortly after the end of the Second World War, through the merger of five Sakata breweries that had previously produced brands such as Otokoyama (男山), Yōrō (養老), Fujiya (藤屋), Senrii (千里井), and Tamanokawa (玉の川). The new company used the Hashi Brewery (橋酒造場) as its brewing centre, and the Jōkigen brand name was created at that time.

Among the breweries that formed the company, the Hashimoto Brewery was the oldest. It traced its origins back to Kōka 1 (弘化元年, 1844), making it one of the oldest sake breweries in Sakata. The Hashimoto family residence, which served as the brewery's main house, still stands and has been registered as a cultural property by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.