Komatsu, Ishikawa Pref. ¨C Usually, nicknames like ¡°the god of sake¡± are platitudes. But for brewer Naohiko Noguchi, it¡¯s now as close to a literal description as can be.
On Oct. 16, ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï Agency for Cultural Affairs made an announcement without precedent: ²µ¾±²ÔÂá¨-³ú³Ü°ì³Ü°ù¾± ¡ª the exacting techniques used to brew aromatic ²µ¾±²ÔÂᨠsake from highly polished rice at low temperatures ¡ª be designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property, with 93-year-old master brewer Noguchi recognized as its holder.
Once formally approved at a ceremony scheduled for Nov. 16 in Kyoto, Noguchi will become the first-ever ³Ù¨Âá¾± (chief brewer) to be named a ningen kokuh¨ (living national treasure) ¡ª a recognition with significance far beyond the world of sake.
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