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Fundodai Releases Special Edition Soy Sauce To Commemorate The End Of Heisei Era

by Rudy Sanchez on 12/06/2018 | 2 Minute Read

On April 30th of next year, Akihito, the current Emperor of Japan, will abdicate the Chrysanthemum Throne, something that has not happened in Japan since 1817. The 84-year-old has decided to step down from the stressful, though largely ceremonial position, marking the end of what is commonly known as the Heisei era.

Editorial photograph

To commemorate the end of the Heisei era as well as celebrate their 150th anniversary, soy sauce producer Fundodai has released a special bottle to honor both events. This distinctive soy sauce is specially brewed and is sweet, using red sake and Kyushu soybeans. Soy sauce is known for having complex flavor profiles and regional distinctions, as products from the north of the country are saltier; soy sauce produced in the south is sweeter.

The bottle and label are exquisitely designed, featuring a swing-top bottle cap and an ornate black and gold label resembling a lacquered piece featuring cranes and bees. The bottle also comes in an equally fancy cylinder in a lighter brown with the same design on the bottled reproduced in gold.

Editorial photograph

The bottle was designed by Moe Furuya, founder and art director of Study and Design. Their work typically has a contemporary and playful feel while also being distinctly Japanese, although some of their designs, such as this bottle, is more traditional in spirit.The Heisei soy sauce is limited to 3,000 bottles and can be found at major supermarkets in Japan, or via Rakuten’s website for international customers.