Asahi Shuzo Co. in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, launched “junmai daiginjo,” a bottle of the highest quality of sake, at the new Dassai Blue Sake Brewery under the Dassai Blue line.

She noted “the summer version is the thickest and is a summery blue.” In today’s column there are many different shades of blue. On May 16, 1689, haiku master Matsuo Basho traveled by boat ...