It is shipped within the prefecture and to Tokyo from late October to late November every year. Mishirazugaki is an astringent persimmon grown in Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture, and has been cultivated since ancient times along with the history of Aizu. It tastes very good and is presented to the imperial family every year. Since it is an astringent persimmon, the astringency is removed using shochu(distilled spirits)or gas before shipping.
【Product name】
Mishirawzu(neglecting one's health)
【Type】
Diospyros kaki
【Producing area】
Aizuwakamatsu City, Kitakata City, Yama District, Minamiaizu District , Kawachi-gun, Onuma District, Fukushima Prefecture (JA Aizu Yotsuba, JA Zen-Noh Fukushima)
【Origin of name】
There are three theories about the origin of the name. Because it bears so many large fruits that the branch seems to break (a humble persimmon). When I presented this persimmon to the shogun, he was highly praised, saying, "I have never tasted such a delicious persimmon." Also, it seems that persimmons are so delicious that I eat too much of them without even thinking about myself.
【Major features】
In early December 2022, Gypsophila 'Showa kasumi grass' (perennial gypsophila), which is native to the Mediterranean coast, is cultivated in the Oku-Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture, including Showa Village in Onuma County. It seems that it likes to grow. The cool environment brings a breeze even in summer, and from early summer to late autumn, it seems that countless flowers reminiscent of "stars in the sky" bloom.It seems that there are various types of "perennial gypsophila". In the village, Altair, Veilstar, etc. Other seasonal products include Patrinia scabiosifolia (seen in sunny meadows. Several stems are stretched straight to form a stock, with many yellow flowers at the tip.) The inflorescence seems to be about 15 to 20 cm in size as a whole. The leaves are paired, and the leaves on the stem are thin and deeply cleft like feathers, but the leaves at the base are Japanese white raddish leaves. It grows with a short rhizome, and is famous as one of the Seven autumnal flowers (bush clover, Chinese silvergrass, kudzu, fringed pink, golden lace, thoroughwort, and balloon flower). boasts the largest cultivated area and shipment volume in Japan during the summer and autumn season.) efforts to improve quality have borne fruit, and it seems to be traded at higher prices than ever before. This year's sales amounted to 607.73 million yen, surpassing 600 million yen for the first time. Although the number of shipments decreased from the previous year, the increase in the unit price pushed up the sales amount. As the birthrate declines and the population ages rapidly, more and more young people are moving to the area to grow gypsophila, and the people concerned seem to be working to further improve the brand power. Similarly, the sales amount for 2022 of the Minamiaizu region's branded crop "Nango Tomato" has finished shipping. As of the 8th of the same month, it was 1,091 million yen, which seems to be the highest ever. According to the Nango Tomato Producer's Association, it seems that the reason for this is the stable supply despite nationwide shortages due to flood damage and extreme heat. The shipment volume was 2,548.4 tons, about 95% of last year's, but I heard that the price per box (4 kg) remained at a high level of 1,700 yen. Going back about two months, on October 26th, the Aizu Mishirazu Persimmon Market Expansion Promotion Council, which consists of Aizuwakamatsu City, Aizubange Town in Kawanuma County, and Aizumisato Town in Onuma County, launched sherbet and ice cream using mishirazu persimmons. On sale. It seems that they are enthusiastic about increasing the income of producers and improving the attractiveness of the industry by making effective use of non-standard persimmons, which were partly discarded. The Aizu Mishirazu persimmon is a very delicious persimmon that is presented to the imperial family every year. Also known as "Sainenji persimmon'', it is said to have originated about 500 years ago when the chief priest of Sainenji Temple, located in what is now Obama, Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, brought back a sapling from China and cultivated it when he went to study in China. Although it is an astringent persimmon, it is poured with 35% shochu for persimmons, and the box is sealed for about two weeks. The opening date is a guideline for removing astringency, and it seems that it will be sealed all the time during that time. After waiting for about two weeks, the astringency is gone and it seems that you can eat it. When the astringency has just started to disappear, you can enjoy the crispy texture, and it seems that the sweetness is yet to come. Species: Japanese pine, 350 years old, height: 4.3 m, trunk circumference: 1.6 m, 1983 Designated as a green cultural asset in Fukushima Prefecture: Mt. Date, Location, Obama, Nihonmatsu City, Owner (Administration Organization), Sainenji Temple(Jodo sect, Bodaisan Kotokuin), The origin of the name comes from the shape of the branch that crawls on the ground, reminiscent of the shape of a dragon. It is also called Mikaeri-no-matsu (three revived pine) because it has suffered fires three times in the past and has sprouted back three times. According to one theory, the pine bonsai that Terumune Date (1544-1585) loved was donated by Masamune (1567-1636) and later transplanted into the garden. Aizu Mishirazu persimmons are harvested from late October to mid-November, and are mainly consumed in the production area, and are apparently shipped until late November. Seedless astringent persimmons are slightly tall, and when viewed from the side, they have the impression of a lovely flat heart shape. The Minamiaizu region of Fukushima Prefecture, where the Nango tomato representative of JA jurisdiction is cultivated, is located in the southwestern part of Fukushima Prefecture and seems to consist of 4 towns and villages (3 towns and 1 village). The area is 234,153 hectares, which is almost the same as Kanagawa Prefecture, 93% of which is forest, and it seems to be an area rich in nature such as Nikko Oze National Park and Mt. Hiuchigatake, one of Japan's 100 famous mountains. The climate is typical of the Sea of Japan, with cool summers and severely cold winters, with snowfall exceeding 4 meters in some places, and is designated as a heavy snowfall zone or a special heavy snowfall zone. However, it seems that it is also an area where aging and depopulation are progressing. On August 6, 2018, Nango Tomato was registered as the first product produced in Fukushima Prefecture under the Geographical Indication (GI) protection system. The GI registration began with producers' desire to protect the Nango tomato brand, which is a local asset, and organizational efforts to improve cultivation techniques have led to the stabilization and improvement of the quality of Nango tomatoes. It seems that it was registered in recognition of the fact that it has been producing over 2000 tons annually for more than a year. Of the four towns and villages in the Minamiaizu region, it is cultivated in three towns: Tadami Town, Minamiaizu Town, and Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu District. However, Nango Tomato acquired a regional collective trademark registration in 2019, and the only tomatoes that can be sold under the same name are the tomatoes produced by members of the production union, and only the tomatoes sorted and shipped from JA's Nango Tomato Sorting Plant. It seems that they have tried to make it into a decoy. However, in recent years, tomatoes that do not meet the standards at direct sales stores are Nango Tomato. There is no end to the cases of being sold as For this reason, they decided to aim for GI registration, which would allow them to differentiate themselves from other products, avoid the burden of lawsuits, and protect their brand. On April 20, 2016, Mr. Seishi Sambe, the president of the production union, applied for the registration of the Nango Tomato GI. Registered for the first time as a Fukushima product in the labeling (GI) protection system. It seems that the organizational efforts to improve cultivation techniques have led to the stabilization and improvement of the quality of Nango tomatoes. Nango tomatoes are mainly shipped from July to October, and the peak shipping season is from August to late September to October. It is the beginning of the month. Tomato production takes advantage of the weather conditions of the production area, which is cooler than the flatlands and has a large temperature difference between day and night. In particular, I heard that the tomatoes that are shipped from early September have improved taste, so they started selling them as autumn flavor from 2013. The Nango Tomato Producers Association has rules that the producers themselves have decided in order to compete with their organizational strength, and it seems that members of the production association are cultivating valuable tomatoes by observing the following rules. In addition, it seems that all of the harvested tomatoes other than non-standard products should be shipped by JA, and non-standard products should not be sold under the name of "Nango Tomatoes." In 2004, we obtained regional collective trademark registration. Tomatoes that can be sold under the name of Nango Tomatoes are those that are produced by members of the production association and are sorted and shipped from JA's Nango Tomato Sorting Plant. It seems that it is only a tomato of the product. Seedlings are either joint nursery seedlings of the production association or seedlings outsourced by the production association. Observance of the rules seems to lead to strengthening the unity of the union members. In 1990, the first I-turn farmer was accepted as a system for accepting new farmers. Since then, we have developed a system for accepting new farmers while doing trial-and-error to train new farmers. It seems. Currently, production associations, JA, towns, prefectures, etc. I have heard that related organizations and groups are collaborating, sharing roles, and providing support in their respective fields. For those who wish to start farming, the farming association, JA, the town, and the Minamiaizu Agriculture and Forestry Office of Fukushima Prefecture conduct farming consultations and interviews. It seems that there is In addition, in order to prevent people from leaving farming, it is necessary to have two or more relatives working in farming. In order to earn profits quickly, it seems that they are obliged to undergo thorough practical training as trainees at advanced farmers designated by the production association for one to two years before starting farming. Here, the trainees learned not only about tomato cultivation techniques but also about the local community. It seems that they will learn and make connections with local people. Advanced farmers are thinking about the future production area and accept trainees without loss, and it seems that the trainees are like foster parents in this area. In addition, after starting farming, the Nango Tomato Guidance Group (organized by the production association, JA, and prefecture) has cultivation experience. Mainly for those who are not familiar with the technique, it seems that they carry out guidance tours twice a week to ensure that they acquire skills. JA and the town will support housing during training and after farming, selection of farmland, pipe houses and It seems that various subsidies are also being used to cover the initial cost of watering facilities. In addition, the mutual aid activity production association of the research department and branch has a "tomato research department" organized by young producers, new farmers and trainees, and seems to be responsible for testing new materials and techniques. It seems that this research department also engages in mutual assistance activities, such as volunteering to build pipe houses for new farmers and to restore farms when pests occur. In addition, the unity of each branch is strong due to regional unity, and they help each other immediately if something happens. The system seems to have formed naturally. This is a lot of snow. People involved say that the spirit of termination unique to the region, which was born in the harsh weather conditions, is also being used in tomato cultivation. Farmers are managed individually, but cherishing the connections between producers, new farmers are also members of the production area, It seems that the fact that they are cultivating with the awareness of being a member of the production area is creating a unity as a production area. The Aizu district is located in the western part of Fukushima Prefecture, bordering Yamagata, Niigata, Gunma, and Tochigi Prefectures, and consists of two cities, Kitakata City and Aizuwakamatsu City, and Yama, Minamiaizu, Kawanuma, and Onuma counties. Geographically, it is sandwiched between the Ou Mountains and the Echigo Mountains. The climate is on the side of the Sea of Japan, and summer is cool in the mountainous areas and hot and humid in the flatlands due to the basin. There seems to be a lot of snowfall in winter. With an average annual temperature of 11.4°C and an average annual rainfall of 1,133.8 mm, the temperature is the lowest in Fukushima Prefecture, making it a cool region. In addition to rice cultivation, the district seems to cultivate horticultural crops such as cucumbers, tomatoes, asparagus and green beans. 60% of the total sales in this district are rice, followed by cucumbers, tomatoes, and asparagus. In addition, it seems that they are cultivating garden crops including asparagus by taking advantage of the cool climate. The well-known “Fukushima. GAP Challenge” aims to be the best GAP in Japan and introduces GAP certified people who deliver the safety and security of local products. FGAP is a system in which the prefecture certifies producers and groups that practice GAP based on the prefecture's own standards, including measures against radioactive substances.
My hometown, Aizuwakamatsu City, is the central city of the Aizu region, which occupies the western part of Fukushima Prefecture. During the Edo period, it prospered as a castle town of the Aizu clan, and even today, it is dotted with historical sites such as Tsuruga Castle and the Byakkotai, attracting a large number of tourists and causing a boom. In addition, Aizu contributes to our food and health as one of Japan's leading producers of agricultural products, thanks to the fertile land, clean and abundant water, and the large temperature difference characteristic of the basin. In particular, rice and persimmons are representative autumn crops of Aizu. Among them, "Mishirazu persimmons", which are harvested in late autumn, are given the honor of being presented to the Imperial Household every year for their smooth texture and rich taste. It is an excellent agricultural product with Mishirazu persimmons presented to the Imperial Family are limited to those cultivated by nine members of the Kitamiyama Raw Persimmon Production and Shipment Association located in the Oyama district of Monden Town in Aizuwakamatsu City. As such, it seems to have been presented to the imperial family and each imperial family through the governor of Fukushima Prefecture. The famous Oyama area is located in an alluvial fan facing the southern slope of the Aizu Basin, and the soil is black clay. Because the area receives a lot of afternoon sun throughout the year, the hours of sunlight are long, and the clear waters of the upper reaches of the Agano River seem to create an environment suitable for growing fruit trees.
The partially dried Japanese persimmon produced by the Aizuwakamatsu North Oyama Producer Association, which has been honored as a persimmon presented to the Imperial Family every year since 1928, is an irreplaceable treasure of Japan. If the astringency of the persimmon has just been removed, but on rare occasions the astringency remains, If you put it in the sun for a few days or leave it at room temperature, the bitterness will disappear. Oxygen absorber AGELESS: Absorbs oxygen in a closed container to create a deoxygenated state (oxygen concentration of 0.1% or less) and removes the effects of oxygen on foods. It is possible to maintain "deliciousness" and "freshness" for a long period of time. In addition, taking advantage of its properties, it seems to be widely used to prevent deterioration of pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, etc., and to prevent mite and mold in clothing and bedding.
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster is temporarily suspended due to the nuclear accident that occurred at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station due to the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake (or Great East Japan Earthquake) that occurred on March 11, 2011 and the accompanying tsunami. Exports were resumed about six years ago, and on November 10, 2022, the shipping ceremony for the first export of this year was held at the fruit sorting plant in Aizumisato Town. Furthermore, it seems that the producers are also expecting flights to the Kingdom of Thailand, which has been closed.