Kurabito (sake brewery worker)

Kurabito are the craftspeople at a sake brewery who actually work on making the moromi (fermentation mash). Under the guidance of the toji (master brewer), who serves as the brewery's technical lead, they handle tasks such as preparing the sake mash and managing fermentation, and they play an important role in producing high-quality sake. Kurabito are skilled artisans who carry on traditional techniques and knowledge, sometimes incorporating new methods, and who make sake from the basic ingredients of rice, water, and yeast. The flavor and quality of sake are greatly influenced by the skill and passion of the kurabito.