"Kanbai" refers to the winter solstice plum, generally known as the early-blooming plum that blooms in the coldest part of winter. Meiji-era educator Jo Niijima (founder of Doshisha University) saw the Kanbai blooming early despite the cold wind and snow and composed a poem about its natural and humble appearance, saying that he wished people could be like that too. Fruity, mild, and highly transparent, refined Kanbai from Mie Prefecture is a new-era sake that pairs well with both Japanese and Western cuisine. It continues to produce a rich flavor that embodies the spirit of ease and composure befitting the name "Kanbai" (winter plum).