SYDNEY

Izumibashi Sake

President, Izumibashi Sake Brewery

Born in Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture in 1968
Current President of Izumibashi Sake Brewery.

As the 6th-generation owner of a sake brewery that dates back to 1857, he embodies the legacy of a long-standing sake-producing lineage.

Beyond his role as a sake brewer, he also has a deep connection to agriculture, having revived the practice of rice cultivation in 1996.
Guided by the motto "Sake Brewing Starts with Rice Farming," Izumibashi Sake Brewery is a rarity in the industry, engaging in a complete production process from cultivating sake rice to precision polishing and brewing.
Situated behind his brewery lies an expansive rice field, emblematic of his unwavering commitment.
Among the distinguished labels produced, "Izumihashi" and "Tombo（dragonfly） label" are the stand-out.

Additionally, he manages a thriving SAKE restaurant just a short distance from the brewery.
Izumibashi Sake Brewery remains dedicated to producing 100% pure rice sake of exceptional quality.
On a personal note, Mr. Hashiba is the father of three daughters and enjoys hosting Sake parties, reflecting his zest for life.

Mr. Hashiba's contributions extend beyond the brewing realm, as he holds prominent positions in various organisations:
* Vice Chairman, Ebina Chamber of Commerce and Industry
* Auditor, Kanagawa Sake Brewers Association
* Member, Demand Development Committee, Japan Sake and Shochu Brewers Association

Mr. Yuichi Hashiba embodies entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, and community leadership, making him a true innovator in the world of Japanese sake.

We welcome Mr. Hashiba as he imparts his insights and experiences with us today.

Demystifying Sake

Wayne Shennen is a seasoned hospitality professional, having worked in the industry since 2002 and lived in several countries, including Australia, Brazil, Japan, and England. He is an accomplished sommelier, having achieved certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers, the French Wine Scholar programme, and the Highest Honours Spanish Wine Scholar Programme. In addition, he was the first New Zealander and third person in the Southern Hemisphere to achieve the Advanced Level of Certified Sake Professional.

Wayne is also an author, having written the e-book "Demystifying Sakè," and has worked in breweries across Japan. He has received numerous accolades, including being selected for the Wine Australia "50 Sommeliers of the World" programme, and coming second in the New Zealand Sommelier of the year competition in 2017.

Wayne's expertise in both wine and sake is highly sought after – his engagements include being invited to serve as a consultant to help create the ASI Association de la Sommellerie Internationale sake tasting grid, judge the 2022 Omachi Sake Competition in Tokyo, and host educational training in Sydney and Melbourne for one hundred and twenty of Australia’s top beverage professionals (2023).

Notable qualifications:
Certified Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers)
Advanced Sake Professional
French Wine Scholar - Distinction
Spanish Wine Scholar-Highest Honours
BourgogneMasterLevel-inprogress

Notable Appearances:
2023 Japanese Sake & Shochu Makers Association Australian Sommelier and Beverage Professional educational seminars - Coordinated and hosted events in both Melbourne and Sydney, attended by 120 of Australia’s top beverage professionals
Host GMC Ambassadors’ Dinner at Happo-En, Tokyo (Three years running)
Sake and Sails: Britomart Hotel Sake Matching Dinner
Educational and Influencer dinner in Auckland, NZ, coordinated from Japan with Vinci Ginnen onsite
Try Sake video - educational video written and presented by Wayne Shennen (with Craft Instinct Japan)
Exploring Shöchü: Sweet Potatoes in Kagoshima Documentary - educational video written, presented and edited by Wayne Shennen (with Craft Instinct Japan)
Influencers Tour: Gunma and Ibaraki - planned and hosted by Wayne Shennen, coordinated by Makie Shennen
Asked to join New Zealand Sommelier Association as a committee member
Represented New Zealand at the ASI (International Sommelier Association) General Assembly, Nagoya 2022
Five day programme with global elite of the wine service world Key advisor on development of official ASI Sake Tasting Grid
Judged 13th Annual Omachi Sake Competition (paid) o one of nine judges (only non-Japanese)
Diplomat, Ambassador, and Tokyo Business Leaders Sake Dinner (paid) - host (two years
running). JSS specifically requested organiser for Wayne to host
NZ Wines Website (Contributing Articles) [Japanese Language]
Wall Street International Magazine (Contributing articles)
Drinks Adventures Interview with James Atkinson. Other high profile guests have included...
o JancisRobinson-topwinewriter
o DanAckroyd-actor,musician,distilleryowner
o PeterGago-Penfoldswinemaker
o MaynardJamesKeenan-winemakerandmusician
o RickyPonting-wineryownerandex-Australiancricketcaptain
Japanese Television - two appearances on ZIP! morning news show on Nippon TV o daily audience of multiple millions
Developed a network of contacts with influential members of the Japanese Sommelier Association

Sake 101 - Sake Styles

Simone is based in Melbourne. She has been traveling to various locations in Japan since 2003 and spent the best part of 2007 living in Osaka. Her interest in, and passion for, sake has evolved from a very early fascination with Japanese culture, and over 20 years experience in the food and beverage industry, (with a focus on sake for the decade). Her mission is to share sake stories along with the joy of sake and help promote this unique and delicious beverage, and its rich history, in Australia and beyond.
- Independent sake consultant, promoter and educator
- Awarded the honorary title of Sake Samurai in 2022
- Founder/Host: Taste with the Toji project (since 2020)
- Sake Podcast host on TWTT
* Completed WSET Sake Level 3, 2017
* Completed John Gauntner's Sake Professional Course in Tokyo, 2018
* Completed John Gauntner's Advanced Sake Professional Course in Tokyo, 2019
* Selected Finalist at Sake Sommelier Awards, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2019

Sake Decoded

Sandra is an accomplished Australian Sake Educator who has dedicated her career to promoting Japanese Sake, providing specialized training, and fostering self-development within the Sake & Japanese Hospitality Industry. Her journey is marked by determination, passion, and a commitment to maintaining long-term business relationships.

Professional Roles and Achievements:

• Head SSA Sake Educator/ Coach/ Promoter for Australia:
• SSA Educator and Sommelier: 2020, Sake Sommelier Association in the UK
• Founder of Kodawari Sake Education in WA: A leading institution in the field of sake education and training.
• Certified Sake Professional: John Gauntner in 2020,
• Sake Scholar: 2020 Michael Tremblay.

Journey with Sake:
Sandra's remarkable journey in the world of sake began out of necessity. Facing the decline of her family's Asian liquor store in Perth, Western Australia, she realized the need to revive it. She recognized that sake's reputation and exposure in the Australian market were lacking, and building awareness and appreciation for Japanese sake among Australians presented a considerable challenge.

Determined to preserve her family's legacy, Sandra embarked on a journey of self-education. She delved deep into the world of sake, constantly staying attuned to market trends in the Australian liquor industry. It was imperative for her to promote sake with a profound understanding of its cultural significance and taste to gain acceptance in the market.

Building Relationships:
Throughout her journey, Sandra forged strong relationships with sake breweries and collaborated closely with vendors to introduce renowned Japanese sake brands to Perth. Her passion, dedication, and spirit left an indelible mark in the sake market and paved the way for the establishment of her own business, 'Kodawari Sake Education.'
Promoting Sake and Japanese Culture:
Through 'Kodawari Sake Education,' Sandra has been successful in spreading awareness of sake throughout Perth. Her sake tasting and degustation events have ignited curiosity and attraction among Perth locals, fostering a deeper appreciation for Japanese sake and culture.

A Connection to Japan:
Sandra is no stranger to Japan, and her travels take her there up to twice a year. During these visits, she reconnects with sake comrades and business associates within the sake industry. These experiences inspire her passion, strengthen her connections, and deepen her understanding of Japanese culture. Additionally, her 20 years of experience in the Asian food grocery market, with a focus on Japanese food groceries, further enrich her expertise.

Leadership in Sake Education:
Kodawari Sake Education,' has grown to become a leader in the field of sake education and training under Sandra's guidance. Leveraging her extensive experience, she also provides coaching to sake importers, helping them update their portfolios and contribute to raising awareness and knowledge about Japanese sake in the Australian market. Her approach is characterized by confidence, clarity, and a commitment to creating a deeper connection between Australians and Japanese sake.

Sandra's quest is a testament to her unwavering dedication to the world of sake, her commitment to education and promotion, and her role in fostering a deeper appreciation for Japanese sake and culture in Australia.

Performer

Wadaiko Rindo Sydney is a Sydney-based Japanese taiko drumming ensemble established in 2010 with the support of Toshi Sakamoto, the director of Wadaiko Rindo taiko ensemble based in Melbourne.

Wadaiko Rindo Sydney performances are enjoyed in Sydney Regions as well as in Cowra, Canberra, Central Coast and Coffs Harbour. The group is renowned for their cheerful and energetic drumming, inspiring the whole audience through their deep dynamic sound of taiko drums.

Artist

Hananingen, a Japanese floral arrangement technique, has reached Australia with a florist YUKA KONNO becoming the first person to open a studio in Sydney, Australia in 2019 dedicated to the unique floral style. Yuka has won numerous honors, most recently "THE BEST STUDIO FLORIST" at the Sydney Markets Fresh Award. Hananingen, which translates to “flower human” in Japanese, is a style of arranging fresh flowers on people’s heads and bodies. It is a new form of ARTWORK that fuses flowers and people. She started this business with the hope that wearing flowers would bring out the beauty of a person and from that experience, people would love themselves, love flowers more, and the cycle of happiness would grow. Yuka would like to stand at the origin of life and convey the beauty and fragility of life, as well as the splendor of living on earth, through her work. Making one person happy does not make one person happy. When one person smiles, the chain of smiles continues over and over again. Increasing the smiles of people close to us is the first step towards smiles all over the world. Through HANANINGEN ART, she would like to sow the seeds from her own hands.

Artist

The Consouls are a Sydney based ensemble that combine jazz and video game music to create a sound unlike any other. Think Mario meets Miles Davis, Skyrim meets Sonny Rollins or Pokemon meets Oscar Peterson. Their jazz arrangements of video game tunes have a distinct sound that is sure to please musicians and gamers alike.

Best known for their YouTube channel which has showcased new arrangements weekly for over 9 years, the band has also headlined at a number of anime conventions around Australia and also regularly tours around Japan. The group’s premiere live stream series, Consouls Radio, is a monthly concert that has attracted local fans and a global audience alike via livestream.

This year the group came full circle and made their maiden voyage in video games, contributing to the soundtrack for ‘Advance Wars 1+2 Re-boot Camp', one of Nintendo’s most anticipated video games of 2023.

Artist

Nana Koizumi（Trumpeter, Singer） - Nana Koizumi, based in Nara Prefecture, Japan, is a trumpeter, vocalist, composer, educator, graphic designer, and the appointed tourism ambassador of Nara, Kashihara City. At the forefront of jazz trumpeter/vocalists in Japan, Nana Koizumi’s innate ability to deliver breathtaking performances in any musical genre continues to uplift her audiences with her beautiful tone and captivating voice.  In November of 2022, she finished 1st Runner-Up in the annual Okazaki Jazz Vocal Contest. From November 2022, she moved to Australia where she continues to perform and share cultural exchanges with local musicians. On an International Jazz Day 2023 event, she performed at Butchers Brew Bar and Lazybones Lounge, some of Sydney’s most famous venues and welcomed a full house on both days. In addition, she was featured in an interview by SBS Japanese, the national multilingual, multicultural news organization in Australia,Melbourne. She has currently relocated from Sydney to Melbourne where she continues to perform pursue her musical career.

【SBS interview in Australia 2023】
https://www.sbs.com.au/language/japanese/ja/podcast-episode/trumpeter-and-vocalist-nana-koizumi/s5nu39tvi

Artist

The V2R Trio (Virtual 2 Reality) is not your typical classical piano trio. They are a Sydney based Video Game Music (VGM) piano trio, bringing your favourite VGM to life! Joined forces through their love of video games, music and good food, PitTan on violin, Francis on cello and Helaine on piano will bring you a variety of juicy themes from games such as The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy and Fire Emblem. We’ve performed at multiple Sydney Conventions (such as SMASH and USYD’s PopFest), collaborated with regional and international (VGM) musicians, worked with ‘The Consouls Band’ and recorded VGM covers for audio streaming platforms. In addition, they’ve hosted a sold-out concert for the launch of their “Super Mario Galaxy” arrangement album in 2021 and successfully showcased their second VGM filled concert earlier this year. V2R Trio hopes to continue sharing video game music live to the Australian audience as well as internationally through their social media platforms.

Performer

Tataku is a Japanese drumming team from Australia Taiko Academy in Sydney.
The members of Tataku are from 13 years old to 18 years old. 14 members belong in the group from this year. Tataku play lots of various taiko musics including Japanese traditional musics.
Tataku practice every Friday in Ultimo with Ryuji Hamada. Ryuji is a member of professional taiko group called Taikoz.
In Australian Sake Festival, Tataku will play their new piece collaborating with Twisting Tornadoes.

Performer

We, Twisting Tornadoes, are a dance team formed by elementary and high school students who all have Japanese backgrounds. At the Sake Festival, we hope that everyone will enjoy our Japanese-inspired arrangements of kimono-like costumes and traditional Japanese music!

Performer

Break Juku is a kids' breakdance and Hip Hop class taught by experienced dancers to raise future Street Dancers. Classes are conducted in both Japanese and English and suitable for all levels from Absolute Beginner to Advanced. At Break Juku, everyone works towards battles and performances, creating valuable experiences and friendships along the way.

Artist

Hideboo is an established Australian Bboy. He migrated to Australia in 2004 and has since been involved in the Australian Hip Hop Community.
In line with his immense love of hip hop culture, he was always destined to expand his skills into another element of Hip Hop, and that is the craft of DJing.
Hideboo has been collecting and constantly building an arsenal of Hip Hop, R&B, Funk, House, Jazz Hip Hop, and Lounge music through his long standing journey within the scene.
Just like his dancing, he's developing a long haul profile within the DJ community. He's very excited to host parties to bring happiness and encourage lots of dancing.

Exhibition

Ren is an artist who specialises on ‘Shodo’, Japanese traditional calligraphy. In 2003 he gained Australian permanent residence as an artist and has based on Sydney.
In 2010 his work ‘Furusato’ (En: place of origin) was approved by the Japanese Foreign Ministry as a national property of Japan, meaning his artistic talent is now recognised by two nations Australia and Japan. This work is now housed at the Japanese Embassy in Canberra. He was conferred Consul-General's Commendation on in 2016.
Ren participated in production of Hollywood movie "The Wolverine"(2013) as a calligrapher and Gods of Egypt(2016) as a set-finisher.
The Australian Olympic Committee commissioned six books of ale to be written for the Australian Olympic and Paralympic teams in 2020.

Exhibition

WABORI KIMONO is a mixture of Australian Sprit and Japanese Elegance.
This is a wonderful combination of Indigenous Art of Australia and Japanese Traditional Kimono.
TAE GESSNER is a founder of International Kimono Club Sydney and a Kimono Specialist based in Sydney. Tae was born in Aichi and she studied all about kimono for 2 years at Tokiwa-jogakuin and worked for Kimono wholesale company in Nagoya. Tae hopes to transform the traditional image of kimono into a new trend of fashion in the future and also her aim is to support artists in the future as well as the continuation of Japanese kimono culture.