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Soy sauce and miso, the origin of the taste of Japanese cuisine, were first produced in Wakayama. Wakayama is a reservoir of the specialty produced from the wisdom and craftsmanship of Kishu people blessed with nature.
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1.Soy Sauce
Yuasa-Soy Sauce was protected by the government as "government-purchase Soy Sauce" of Kishu Tokugawa family in Edo era. The product expanded its sales routes to Edo, Kyoto, Osaka, with its manufacturing process spread all over
Japan and its name became known by people all over Japan. Still, at Yuasa, the old manufacturing method has been handed down, and hand-made soy sauce is produced on the quality basis. |
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2.Kinzan-ji Miso
The origin of the product derives from Hoto-Kokushi which is also called as Kakushin who started Kokokuji Temple, the general head temple of Komu monk, at Yura-cho, Wakayama, having made miso as a healthy meal with the
procedure learned during the training at Kinzan-ji in Sung to endure strict training of the temple in Kamakura era. The first taste is gingery, then sweet of rice malt spreads in the mouth as we chew it, these make unique daintiness which sharpens
the taste more with the taste of vegetables like round eggplant and cucurbitatious fruit. |
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3.Pickled Plum
Kinan area, with Tanabe City, Minabe-cho, and Minabegawa-mura as central parts, is blessed with plenty of sunshine and warm climate. The area boasts of its No.1 production and turnout of plum as a land of quality plum.
Nankou-ume and Kojiro-ume are the main variety of plum. Nankou-ume is the top quality product as a pickled plum variety, with its feature of big and thick body, and thin skin. |
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4.Tuna
Nachi-Katsuura fishery port boasts of its No.1 harvest of raw tuna. For that reason, the fish is very fresh and we can eat stuffing and kabuto-yaki at reasonable prices by order which is not available in other places. The types of tuna differs according to the season, for example, Blue-fin Tuna, Big Eye Tuna, Yellow-fin Tuna, and etc. |
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5.Persimmon
In Wakayama Prefecture, persimmon is mainly cultivated in Kihoku area, whose production is No.1 in Japan. Three types of persimmons including Hiratanenashi(Tonewase), "sour persimmon", Fuyugaki, "sweet persimmon", and Kushigaki whichi is famous for the use of New Year's celebration are cultivated. Tonewase is a popular brand boasts for its No.1 quality and quantity in Japan. And, Fuyugaki receives popularity as the king of persimmon. |
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6.Peach
Kinokawa basin including Naga-gun Momoyama-cho is the No.1 production area in Kansai from long ago. The secret of its daintiness is in its careful production method with bountiful soil and mild weather. The peach brands are classified mainly as "Hakuhou", "Shimizu Hakutou", and "Momoyama Hakuou", early maturity variety, etc. Among them, peach cultivated in Momoyama-cho, the main production region, is nationally famous as the brand of "Peach of Arakawa". |
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7.Mandarin Orange
Mandarin Orange of Kishu has been a popular specialty excelling other provinces in its taste and quality since Edo era. Especially the one in Arida area which introduced the name of "The kingdom of the Mandarin Orange" to all over Japan is famous as "Arida Mikan". Still, we are aiming to cultivate more tasty Mandarin Orange like "Ajiichi Mikan", "Ajiichi Mikan α", and etc. |
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1.Negoro-nuri (Lacquerware)
Wakayama Prefecture is regarded as one of the three large production areas sharing with Aizu-nuri of Fukushima Prefecture, Yamanaka-nuri/Wajima-nuri of Ishikawa Prefecture. Its history goes back to Muromachi era. At that time, in Negoro-dera Temple of Kii area which was boasting of its giant religious town, monks manufactured pots and trays for everyday use applying beautiful lacquerware by themselves. This is the origin of Negoro-nuri. |
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2.Nachiguro Suzuri (Inkstone)
The name of "Nachiguro stones" is said to be derived from the fact that many people including Joko, the former Emperor, picked up glistening black stones in Nachi no Hama as a commemoration of Kumano Pilgrimage and brought back to the capital calling them as "Nachiguro stones" as far back in Heian era. Nachiguro Suzuri, taking advantage of the natural shape of the gemstone giving the magnificence of "Heaven" is highly valued by Suzuri users for its dense stone quality and appropriate hardness. |
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3.Kishu Goten Temari (Traditional Japanese Handball)
The origin of the manufacturing of Kishu Temari is said to be to entertain young Princess married to Kishu. The elegant toy with excellent assortment of color and pattern is still popular today as ornaments and souvenirs. Temari has a meaning of warm heart well-wishing everybody for their happiness "to work out peacefully forever" as a present to lovers and bride's household effects. |
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4.Kishu Hina (Doll)
Doll with natural seasoning of its native wood, shaped by turning wheel, handcoated with main lacquer, and finally handpainted. The one that Emperor Nintoku ordered a craftsman to make the image of the Empress Jinko when he visited this Kishu Kinokuni came to be called as "Kishu Hina". The shape of Hina retains its good old tradition. |
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