What is the origin of the word “toji” in sake brewing? Words related to sake(touji)
A sake brewing artisan. The head of a group of sake brewing craftsmen is also called “toji. The origin of the word “toji” is said to be derived from the name of Tokou, the first person to make sake in China, or from the name of the pots used by sake brewers in the Nara and Heian periods, which were called “ootoji” (big sword) and “kotoji” (small sword). The other theory is that the name “toji” comes from the fact that women who served the gods were in charge of sake brewing, and the elderly women who united them were called “toji”. Toji are from all over Japan, and there are many different names for the groups they belong to, such as Nanbu Toji, Echigo Toji, Tamba Toji, and so on. Sake brewing techniques also differ depending on the region of origin of the toji.
