Tomita Shuzo in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, traces its roots to 1534, making it one of Japan's oldest continuously operating breweries, founded at the foot of Shizugatake along the old Hokkoku Kaido road that linked the north country to Kyoto. Shichihonyari takes its name from the seven young warriors who secured Toyotomi Hideyoshi's victory at the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583, and the sake has been celebrated as a drink of good fortune ever since. The 15th-generation brewer focuses on local Omi-origin rice varieties, including the heritage Watafune strain, producing junmai styles that honor the rice's natural umami.
