History of Masahiro Distillery (Former company name: HIGA SHUZO CO., LTD.)
1883
Masahiro distillery was founded in 1883 in Shuri, Okinawa, a region in Japan that used to be a castle town during the Ryukyu Kingdom.
The founder is Shobun Higa. His father was the Head Chef in the Ryukyu Kingdom.
At that time, Awamori production was only allowed to those who had permission from the royal government. Under such circumstances, he started Awamori production under the trade name “Houchou Higa” and the Awamori production license was given by his father who was highly regarded for his skill as a royal court chef. Okinawa's food culture and Awamori culture are closely related. His father's passion for food must have been passed down to Shobun's Awamori production.
Shobun Higa
1912
Shogen Higa, the son of the founder, took over the distillery as the second generation.
Shogen Higa
Around 1935
1945
In the midst of the chaotic wars, the Awamori industry reached its peak around the time of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), a few years earlier than World War II (1939-1945).
However, during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945 at the end of World War II, most of the distilleries in Okinawa lost their factories. Moreover, we lost our Kusu (long-aged Awamori), which had been passed down from generation to generation at the same time. Our Shuri factory was also destroyed in the war.
1949
During the subsequent reconstruction, Shoko Higa (the third generation of the distillery) moved the factory to Yonabaru-cho in southern Okinawa and restarted the business.
Yonabaru Factory
Masahiro Higa, the company's representative at the time, named the product “Masahiro.” By making his own name the representative brand, he expressed his passion for Awamori production. People loved the product “Masahiro,” and it became the foundation of our distillery.
Masahiro Higa
Label of "Masahiro"
1967
In order to modernize the facilities, the factory was moved to Ishimine-cho in Shuri, Okinawa.
We introduced the low-temperature fermentation technique for the first time in the production of Awamori, based on traditional techniques. This challenge led to the development of postwar production technology.
Ishimine Factory (currently known as Koshu-gura Shuri)
1979
Masakuni Higa took over the distillery as the fourth generation. During the heyday of whiskey, he worked to develop the Awamori market. One of his most notable achievements was the creation of the “Furusato Parcel” system that allowed Awamori to be shipped nationwide. At the time, it was groundbreaking for the post office to handle alcoholic beverages.
We were also the first company to enter Awamori in an international spirits competition and win a gold medal, and we pioneered the release of Awamori in “one-cup bottle” and paper carton packs, aggressively pioneering new markets.
1991
The Nishizaki Factory in Itoman city was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the company's foundation. The manufacturing site was moved to Itoman city. We opened “Awamori Masahiro Gallery” on the same site displaying vintage Awamori. The gallery was well received as a factory for tours introducing a wide range of materials on Awamori.
100th Anniversary of Founding Nishizaki Plant
"Masahiro Gallery"
2015
Masahiro Distillery celebrated its 132nd anniversary in 2015. On this occasion, we changed our company name from "HIGA SHUZO CO., LTD." to "MASAHIRO SHUZO CO., LTD." with the aim of becoming a company loved by more people.
We will continue to actively engage with and support the local community while promoting Awamori culture. We hope you will try our brands such as "MASAHIRO" and "Shima uta." We sincerely appreciate your continued support.
Corporate Information
| English name | MASAHIRO SHUZO CO., LTD. |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | 昌广酒造株式会社 |
| Japanese name | まさひろ酒造株式会社 |
| Year of foundation | 1883 |
| Date of Establishment | August 26, 1965 |
| Capital | 48,000,000 JPY (Japanese Yen) |
| Representative | Masakuni Higa (Chairman of the Board, Fourth-Generation Successor of the Founding Family) Masayasu Higa (7th Generation President, Fifth-Generation Successor of the Founding Family) |
| Banks | The Okinawa Development Finance Corporation, The Shoko Chukin Bank Naha Branch, Bank of the Ryukyus Nishizaki Branch, The Bank of Okinawa Nishizaki Branch. |
| Head Office | 5-8-7 Nishizaki-Cho, Itoman-City, Okinawa, 901-0306, JAPAN Site area: about 9,900 square meters, Factory building: about 3,100 square meters, Moromisu (rice essence) factory: about 310 square meters. |
| Cellar | 4-54 Ishimine-Cho, Syuri, Naha-City, Okinawa, 903-0804, JAPAN Site area: about 2,700 square meters, Factory building: 1,650 square meters. |
| Production capacity | Awamori: 3747KL, Moromisu (rice essence) : 2400KL |
| Main Facilities | Complete set for Awamori production, storage capacity 3,440KL, Moromisu (rice essence) production facilities, Bio-plant facilities (Sake cake processing facilities) |
History
| 1883 | Shobun Higa founded Awamori production in the castle town of administration of the Ryukyu Kingdom. |
|---|---|
| 1912 | Shogen Higa succeeded as the second generation of the founding family. |
| 1936 | Masahiro Higa succeeded as the third generation of the founding family. |
| 1949 | Relocated our factory to Yonabaru-Cho to expand the capacity. |
| 1965 | Incorporated our company as a limited liability company. Changed our company name to HIGA Business Firm LLC. |
| 1967 | Changed our company name to HIGA SHUZO LLC. Newly constructed a modernized factory and relocated it to Shuri, Naha city, Okinawa. |
| 1979 | Masakuni Higa succeeded as the fourth generation of the founding family. |
| 1991 | Constructed a factory to celebrate the 100th anniversary and relocated it to Nishizaki-Cho, Itoman city. Moved our head office into the factory and opens "Awamori Masahiro Gallery" in the building. We opened the gallery to the public. (Capacity: up to 100 people, Factory tours are available.) |
| 1999 | Released Moromisu (rice essence). |
| 2002 | Obtained ISO 9001 certification (Awamori) for the first time in the Awamori industry. |
| 2003 | Started the first biogas plant. (The processing facility of sake cakes) |
| 2004 | Obtained ISO 9001 certification for moromisu (rice essence). |
| 2006 | Started second biogas plant. (The processing facility of Sake cakes) |
| 2007 | Changed our company name to HIGA SHUZO CO., LTD. Started the production and sale of liqueurs. |
| 2015 | Changed our company name to MASAHIRO SHUZO CO., LTD. |
| 2017 | Obtained a license for the production of spirits. Released Okinawa craft gin. |
| 2022 | Masayasu Higa was appointed as President (7th generation). Masayasu Higa succeeded as the fifth generation of the founding family. |
Award History
- Monde Selection, International Food Evaluation Committee
-
1985 the 23rd Monde Selection
- Gold Medals : MASAHIRO ( First application and first prize from Okinawa Prefecture )
1986 the 24th Monde Selection
- Gold Medals : MASAHIRO SHUREI
- Silver Medals : MASAHIRO PURPLE1987 the 25th Monde Selection
- Silver Medals : MASAHIRO GOLD
- Silver Medals : MASAHIRO SILVER1991 the 29th Monde Selection
- Gold Medals : TAWAMURERU SHI-SA
- Silver Medals : KOSHUGURA SHURI1996 the 34th Monde Selection
- Silver Medals : AWAMORI NO KUNI
- Silver Medals : HAISAI AWAMORI1999 the 37th Monde Selection
- Silver Medals : Shimauta - Awamori2008 the 46th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Koshu 5 Years Old Masahiro Kame Chozou
- Gold Medals : Koshu Masahiro Gold
2009 the 47th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Uminchu
- Gold Medals : Koshu Masahiro Gold
2010 the 48th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 3 Years Old Shurijo Seiden
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshugura Shuri 1991
- Gold Medals : Uminchu
- Gold Medals : Koshu Masahiro Gold2011 the 49th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 7 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Kuro
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 3 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Aka
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Uminchu
- Gold Medals :Hana Shimauta
- Gold Medals :Koshu 3 Years Old Uminchu Gold
2012 the 50th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 7 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Kuro
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 3 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Aka
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Uminchu
- Gold Medals :Hanashimauta
- Gold Medals :Koshu 3 Years Old Uminchu Gold
2013 the 51th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 7 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Kuro
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 3 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Aka
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Uminchu
- Gold Medals :Koshu 3 Years Old Uminchu Gold
2014 the 52nd Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 7 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Kuro
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 3 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Aka
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Uminchu
- Gold Medals :Koshu 3 Years Old Uminchu Gold
2015 the 53rd Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 7 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Kuro
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 3 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Aka
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Uminchu
- Gold Medals :Koshu Uminchu Gold 3 Years Old
2016 the 54th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 8 Years Old Kugani Masahiro
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotoma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 3 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Aka
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
2017 the 55th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
2018 the 56th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 8 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Kuro
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 5 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Aka
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
2019 the 57th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 8 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Kuro
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Masahiro Okinawa Craft Gin Recipe 01
2020 the 58th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 5 Years Old Masahiro Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Uminchu Premium
2021 the 59th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
2022 the 60th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
2023 the 61th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- International Wine and Spirits Competition (I.W.S.C)
(Headquarters: UK) -
2008
- Silver & best in class : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Silver & best in class : koshu Masahiro Gold
- Silver : Koshu 5 Years Old Masahiro Kame Chozou
- Silver : Awamori Shimauta Kuro2009
- Silver & best in class : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Silver & best in class : Hana Shimauta
2021
- Silver : KUJIRA Ryukyu Whisky 5 Years Old White Oak Virgin Cask
- Silver : KUJIRA Ryukyu Whisky 10 Years Old White Oak Virgin Cask
- Silver : Masahiro Pure Malt Whisky 12 Years Old Oloroso Sherry Cask
- International Taste Institute (ITI, formerly iTQi)
(Headquarters: Belgium) -
2009
- ★★ Sperior taste : Hana Shimauta2010
- ★★ Sperior taste : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- ★★ Sperior taste : Shimauta
- ★★ Sperior taste : Hana Shimauta
- The Beverage Testing Institute (BTI)
-
2008
- Silver [89points] : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Los Angeles International Spirits Competition
(Headquarters: Los Angeles) -
2013
- Gold : Hana Shimauta2014
- Gold : Hana Shimauta2015
- Gold : Hana Shimauta2016
- Gold : Hana Shimauta2017
- Gold : Hana Shimauta2018
- Gold : Hana Shimauta2019
- Gold : Hana Shimauta2022
- Gold : Hana Shimauta
- San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SWSC)
-
2021
- Double Gold : KUJIRA Ryukyu Whisky 10 Years Old White Oak Virgin Cask
- Gold Medal : KUJIRA Ryukyu Whisky 5 Years Old White Oak Virgin Cask
- Gold Medal : MASAHIRO Pure Malt Whisky2022
- Silver : SEARA Japanese Craft Vodka
- Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC)
(Headquarters: Japan) -
2019
- Silver : Masahiro Okinawa Craft Gin Recipe 012020
- Silver : SHÔ MASAHIRO2021
- Gold : Masahiro Okinawa Craft Gin Recipe 02
- Silver : Uminchu Premium
- Silver : Koshu 8 Years Old Kugani Masahiro
2022
- Gold Medal : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- International Spirits Challenge
-
2022
-Silver Medal : KUJIRA Ryukyu Whisky 10 Years Old White Oak Virgin Cask
- Awamori Kanpyokai (Awamori Awards)
(Headquarters: Okinawa, Japan) -
1972
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
1974
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
1975
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
1976
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
1977
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
1978
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
1979
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
1980
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
1981
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
1982
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
1983
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
1984
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
- Award by Governor of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Government : Masahiro
1985
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
1986
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
1987
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
- Award by Governor of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Government : Masahiro
1988
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
1991
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Koshugura Shuri
1992
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : AWAMORI NO KUNI
1993
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : MASAHIRO SILVER
1994
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : AWAMORI NO KUNI
1996
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : AWAMORI NO KUNI
1997
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : AWAMORI NO KUNI
1998
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Koshu Masahiro
1999
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Koshu Masahiro
- Award by Governor of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Government : Awamori Koshu Masahiro
2000
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
- Award by Governor of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Government : Awamori Masahiro
2001
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Koshu Masahiro
- Award by Governor of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Government : Awamori Koshu Masahiro
2002
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
2003
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Masahiro Seven
2004
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Koshu Masahiro
- Award by Governor of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Government : Awamori Koshu Masahiro2007
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Koshu Masahiro
2014
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Kuradashi Masahiro
2015
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Kuradashi Masahiro
- Award by Governor of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Government : Kuradashi Masahiro
2016
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Kuradashi Masahiro
2017
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Kuradashi Masahiro
- Award by Governor of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Government : Kuradashi Masahiro
2018
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Kuradashi Masahiro
2019
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Kuradashi Masahiro
2020
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Kuradashi Masahiro
2022
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Kuradashi Masahiro
- OKINAWAN BRAND (Recommended by Okinawa Prefectural Government)
-
1983
- Old Masahiro
- Awamori Masahiro
- Awamori Masahiro Set
- Mild masahiro1984
- Old Masahiro1985
- Old Masahiro
- Awamori Masahiro
- Awamori Masahiro Set2009
- Awamori Masahiro Kensanmai Shikomi
- Tenkei no Shizuku2012
- Tenkei no Shizuku
- Awamori Tsukekomi Umeshu Umenchu
- Awamori Masahiro Kensanmai Shikomi
- All-Japan International Spirits & Liquor Promotion Association
(Headquarters: Japan) -
May. 2017
- 1st place : Koshu 8 Years Old Kugani MasahiroNov. 2017
- 1st place Special Prize : Koshu 8 Years Old Kugani Masahiro
- 1st place : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- 1st place : Masahiro Lounge
- National Alcoholic Beverage and Seasoning Competition
(Headquarters: Japan) -
1965
- Gold Medal : Awamori Masahiro
*Award by professor emeritus Sumie Kaneyuki at the Tokyo University of Agriculture
- The Drinks Business & The Spirits Business
-
2022
- Master medal (Spring tasting) : MASAHIRO Pure Malt Whisky
- Ultimate Spirits Challenge（USC）
-
2020
- 86points : Masahiro Okinawa Craft Gin Recipe 01
- Wine & Gourmet Taipei
(Headquarters: Taiwan) -
2020
- Annual Selection : Masahiro Okinawa Craft Gin Recipe 01
- World Vodka Awards
-
2022
- Silver (categories: Varietal Vodka) : SEARA Japanese Craft Vodka
- World Whiskyes Awards (WWA)
-
2022
- Gold Medal : MASAHIRO Pure Malt Whisky 12 Years Old Oloroso Sherry Cask