News Detail

Developed "Washi paper label" using driftwood from disasters, to be used on shochu labels in limited quantities.

(Head office: Onga-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture; President: Yoshio Ushihama), Chikuzen Akizuki Washi-machi (Location: Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture; President: Kenji Inoue), and Marushin Corporation (Head office: Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture; President: Yoji Hiraki) have developed washi by effectively utilizing driftwood and fallen trees generated by the July 2017 heavy rain in northern Kyushu. The three companies have developed washi paper that makes effective use of driftwood and fallen trees generated by the torrential rain in northern Kyushu in July 2017. Ltd. has started to sell a PB product, authentic barley shochu "Minoh", using this washi as a label.

*Washi paper label made from a mixture of wood chips from disaster-stricken driftwood (left); authentic barley shochu "Minoh" (1.8L) with a washi paper label (right)

Kagoshima-ya Co., Ltd. is a sake distributor with its head office in Onga-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture. In order to support the areas affected by the torrential rains in northern Kyushu, we have come up with the idea of using Japanese paper labels made of driftwood from the disaster area for our PB shochu products.

The washi paper and washi labels were developed jointly by Chikuzen Akizuki Washi-machi and Marushin Co. Normally, washi is made from trees such as kozo (paper mulberry) and mitsumata (honey locust), but this time, crushed disaster-stricken driftwood was mixed with these normal washi materials before making the paper. Each sheet of washi with the brand name printed on it is carefully torn by hand and pasted by hand.

The quantity of authentic barley shochu "Minoh" will be limited to 1,000 bottles for the 1.8L product and 500 bottles for the 720mL product. Orders can be placed and shipped at Kagoshima-ya stores and by phone.

The three companies will continue to publicize this initiative to make effective use of disaster driftwood, and will consider various initiatives to support disaster recovery efforts in any way possible.

For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact
Public Relations: Tanaka, Marushin Co.
TEL: 0942-65-3811
Email: t.tanaka@maru-sin.co.jp