Toji

Every morning I awaken

to pickle my heart in sake

bury my fingers in koji

plant the sakabayashi above my door

until the bones ache

with the satisfaction of a hard day’s work

Futusu-shu for you, sir

try our Junmai, madam

here’s to your health

a cure for melancholy

distilled happiness inside kikichoko

ginjo-aroma on the breeze

the fragrance of life has never been sweeter

all your worries carried away for another night

surrounded by laughter, love and friendship

is the finest ikigai of all