This time. I would like to write about Taketsuru Masataka (1894-1979) and his wife Taketsuru Rita (1896-1961), born in Scotland as Jessie Roberta Cowan. Masataka was sent to Scotland to study the distillation of whisky and while there he happened to meet Rita and married. After returning to Japan, Masataka embarked on making whisky. He managed to establish the Nikka whisky brand, which is a popular brand not only in Japan but also worldwide.

Before going further, let me explain that their story was dramatized by NHK (Nihon Hoso Kyokai or the Japan Broadcasting Corporation). NHK broadcasted a popular morning drama dubbed “Massan” (as Rita used to call Masataka) every Monday through Friday for 15 minutes during the six months from October, 2014 to March, 2015.   

        Taketsuru family house in Takehara City, Hiroshima prefecture

It's surprising to know that Masataka was born in Hiroshima prefecture to a family, which was making sake and salt. So, in order to follow the family business, he studied brewing and fermenting at a technical school in Osaka. But, somehow, Masataka took an interest in western liquor and started to work at a company that was engaging in making it in Japan.

With this background, in 1918 the company instructed Masataka to study at Glasgow University. While in Scotland, he vigorously visited whisky distillers and managed to do some apprentice work with them. Masataka practiced Judo and this helped to expand his relationship there. In this way, he met Rita and married but unfortunately without her family’s consent.

Towards the end of 1920, Masataka returned to Japan with Rita. The company that sent him to Scotland decided to discontinue its plan to make whisky due to financial difficulties as a result of the WW1 depression. He left the company. There was another company that was interested in making whisky and hired Masataka. Interestingly enough, the company was the predecessor of Suntory. Masataka was with Suntory for ten years (1924 to 1934). The first distillery was built in 1924 and the first whisky was sold in 1929.

After Suntory, Masataka embarked on making whisky to his own taste.  He chose a site for a distillery in Yoichi, Hokkaido in 1934, which according to him resembled Scotland. In order to sustain his company, he started selling apple juice until the first whisky was shipped in 1940.  Rita also helped him by teaching English.  

                The Yoichi distillery, Hokkaido (The photo by 663 highland)

As seen here Masataka was the “father of whisky distillery” in Japan. Masataka and Rita adopted both a son and a daughter. Incidentally, the Taketsuru family still makes sake today. 

Home.....