Kirikaeshiki (koji rice-loosening machine)

A kirikaeshiki is a machine used in sake production, particularly at the koji-making stage. It breaks up lumps of rice and loosens the grains by passing them through a sieve. It was originally named for use in the kirikaeshi step (the turning-over of the rice). However, improvements in working conditions and efficiency in recent years have made kirikaeshi operations faster. As a result, the machine is in practice most often used at the stage when the koji is piled. At this stage the steamed rice is still soft, so the kirikaeshiki works effectively in loosening the grains.