Concept
Koedo Kurari is a facility created by renovating the former Kagamiyama Sake Brewery buildings while preserving their original charm.
It opened in October 2010 as a new landmark where visitors can enjoy Kawagoe’s local products, while also fostering interaction between residents and tourists and revitalizing the local community.
The facility consists of three renovated sake warehouses built during the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods—the “Souvenir Shop (Meiji-gura),” “Restaurant (Taisho-gura),” and “Sake Tasting Room (Showa Gura),” all designated as National Registered Tangible Cultural Properties—as well as the “Gathering Place (Tenji Gura).”
The name “Koedo Kurari” was selected through a public contest. It embodies the meaning of “Koedo” (Little Edo), which preserves the Edo-period atmosphere of Kawagoe; “Kura” (Warehouse), representing the town’s traditional storehouse architecture; and “Ri” (Village), signifying a spiritual home where people can casually stop by and relax.
The "oni-gawara" (demon-faced roof tiles), which also serve as the symbol of "Koedo Kurari," are decorative tiles attached to the ends of roof ridges that also serve a practical function in protecting against rain. Oni-gawara developed around the Nara period and became widespread primarily in temple architecture. From the Muromachi period onward, fierce facial features came to be seen as a manifestation of great power; as a result, the horns gradually grew larger, and the nose and mouth widened and opened to the sides, making the expressions increasingly fierce.From the Edo period onward, as oni-gawara began to be adopted in residential architecture, various designs were incorporated. These included not only demonic faces but also family crests, the character for “water” as a charm against fire, and the “fukutsuchi” (a symbol of good fortune), among others.
The Float of Shintomi-cho 1-chome: Tokugawa Iemitsu
The Kawagoe Festival, held every October, features numerous magnificent Edo-style Kawagoe floats crafted by artisans from Edo and Kawagoe. Float depots are scattered throughout the city, and at the depot located within this facility, you can view the float from Shintomicho 1-chome.It features a revolving stage with a double-spire float, a four-wheeled float, and a music platform topped with a Chinese-style gable. The figure depicted is Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Tokugawa clan and a figure closely associated with Kawagoe. He is portrayed standing in formal court attire against a black background, with the three-leaf hollyhock crest prominently displayed.
History
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The History of Kagamiyama Brewery
Around 1860 (Ansei 7), the company began brewing sake under the trade name "Kyuboshi." Later, around 1875 (Meiji 8), it built a brewery at its current location and established Kagamiyama Sake Brewery.
From then on, for approximately 100 years until the business closed in September 2000 (Heisei 12), it was beloved by many as one of Kawagoe City’s leading sake breweries.
The “Kyuboshi” mark still remains on the Meiji-gura building today.
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The Origin of Kagamiyama
The name is derived from a mountain located on the shores of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. One of the finest poems by the poet Fujiwara no Teika reads : “The moon at dawn, so bright it freezes even the sky, reflected in the waves of Mount Kagami.” It is this beautiful, poetic landscape that lies at the heart of Mount Kagami’s origins.
Origin of the Name: “Mount Kagami” (Ryūō Town, Shiga Prefecture)
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Sake Brewing at Each Brewery
The sake-making process proceeds in stages, from koji production to mashing, pressing, and shipping.
First, koji is produced in the Meiji-gura koji room, and then the brewing of “shubo” (starter culture) and “moromi” (fermenting mash) takes place in the Showa -gura.
Afterward, pressing, blending, and filtration are carried out in the Meiji-gura to complete the sake.
Finally, aging, bottling, and packaging were performed in the Taisho-gura.
A scene of steamed rice processing in the early Showa period