International Women's Day 2025

"Kanpai," which means "cheers" in Japanese, is our 6th International Women's Day brew. It was inspired by the story of Kamui Fuchi and this year's theme of gender equality.

A portion of sales will be donated to Cornerstone and its mission to provide women and gender-diverse individuals with support and housing. 

In the emerald forests of Hokkaido, the Ainu people lived in harmony with nature, their lives intertwined with the spirits that inhabited the land. Among these spirits, none was more revered than Kamui Fuchi, the goddess of the hearth and home. She was the keeper of the sacred fire, a symbol of warmth, life, and protection. Kamui Fuchi’s presence in the hearth made her the spiritual center of every Ainu household, a figure of immense respect and devotion.

Kamui Fuchi was not just the guardian of the fire; she was the embodiment of womanhood. Her role was crucial, as the hearth was more than just a place to cook—it was the heart of the home, where food was prepared, stories were told, and prayers were offered. The fire in the hearth represented the life force of the family, and Kamui Fuchi ensured it never went out. Her unwavering watch over the fire symbolized the constant, nurturing presence of women in Ainu society.

As the judge of domestic affairs, Kamui Fuchi upheld the moral and spiritual order of the household. She protected the purity of the hearth, ensuring that it remained a sacred space free from pollution and discord. If someone in the family neglected their duties or disrupted the harmony of the home, they would face Kamui Fuchi’s stern judgment. Her influence was profound, reminding the Ainu people of the importance of maintaining balance and respect within the family.

One of the most significant rituals honoring Kamui Fuchi involved the brewing of beer. Beer was sacred to the Ainu people, and its preparation was a time of prayer and reverence. As the women of the household fermented the millet and brewed the beer, they would invoke Kamui Fuchi’s blessing, recognizing her role in their daily lives. The first brew from each batch was poured onto the hearth as an offering to Kamui Fuchi, a gesture of respect and a plea for her protection.

This ritual was deeply symbolic, linking the sacred with the everyday. Although Kamui Fuchi was not a goddess of beer, the offering reflected her importance in the spiritual and domestic life of the Ainu people. The act of pouring the first brew onto the hearth was a way to honor the goddess, ensuring that her protective presence continued to watch over the family.

Kamui Fuchi’s story is one of strength, wisdom, and nurturing—the very qualities that define womanhood in many cultures alike. She was the guardian of the hearth, the judge of domestic harmony, and the embodiment of the life-giving force that sustained the home. Her ever-burning fire was a symbol of the enduring power of the feminine spirit, a force that was as essential to the Ainu people as the fire that warmed their homes and hearts.

 

Thank you to Lorpon Labels who kindly sponsored this beer.