The Story Behind MORRIS
Authentic Sweet Potato Shochu “MORRIS”.
Fashion designers often branch out into creating perfumes, but Chie Imai’s imagination moves in a different direction. Guided by a sensibility that has always produced the unprecedented, she created not just a fragrance—but a drinkable perfume. This vision gave birth to the authentic sweet potato shochu MORRIS. Crafted in her hometown of Kagoshima, MORRIS represents a completely new style of shochu shaped by the region’s rich natural environment.
MORRIS was born in Satsuma, the sacred land of shochu with a history spanning five centuries. This region is known for its pristine, crystal-clear water nurtured by the volcanic ash of Sakurajima, and for producing the finest sweet potatoes, Kogane Sengan.
In this land stands Hamada Shuzo, a historic distillery founded in the first year of the Meiji era. Chie Imai, who dreamed of creating a new kind of shochu to share with the world, joined forces with Hamada Shuzo, whose philosophy is rooted in tradition, innovation, and inheritance. Their shared vision sparked the beginning of an entirely new concept in shochu craftsmanship.
The character of MORRIS is defined by the sweet aroma and refined flavor of Kogane Sengan, considered the ideal sweet potato for shochu, combined with the rich depth brought by modern black koji fermentation. Hamada Shuzo’s unique techniques draw out a floral, expressive fragrance, achieving a perfect balance of branding and craftsmanship. The uncompromising dedication of both creators ultimately produced a drop of aromatic bliss unlike anything seen before.
At the unveiling party held at “Nero,” a celebrity-favored Italian restaurant in New York, countless socialites gathered, turning the event into a sensation. The sweet, elegant aroma and taste—transcending the traditional concept of shochu—along with the stylish, fashion-forward bottle design, instantly captivated the crowd.
The name “MORRIS” traces back to the story of Chie Imai’s grandfather and father, Takeji Miyata and Morie. Takeji traveled to the United States in 1906 and succeeded in developing California rice in Colusa, California. Admiring a man named Morris, he named his son Morie. Influenced by Takeji’s pioneering spirit and social contributions, Morie grew up to carry on that legacy, achieving numerous groundbreaking endeavors. Creating an original shochu was one of his dreams. Naturally, Chie Imai inherited this pioneering spirit as well. After twenty years, the original shochu was finally completed. In honor of her late father’s nickname “Morry,” the shochu was named MORRIS.
With its sweet, floral fragrance, MORRIS continues to enchant countless fans. Its lingering, flower-like aroma is said to fill precious moments with happiness—perhaps because it carries the passion of a grandfather and father whose dreams have finally blossomed.
Enjoy the “Edible Fragrance” Shochu, Morris!
