Kyoto Honey Wine Brewery (operated by Kaneichi Shokai Co., Ltd., headquartered in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto) will release "Nobunaga Mead," a mead (honey wine) inspired by the feudal lord Oda Nobunaga, on June 2, 2026.
The product draws its concept from the Honnoji Incident, which took place on June 2, 1582 (the 10th year of the Tensho era). More than 440 years after that fateful night, the brewery presents an imagined "what if" story — a cup of mead raised in an alternative version of history — in the form of a single contemporary glass.
The concept centers on the question: "What if, on that night, a cup of honey wine had been poured for Nobunaga?" Through the floral aroma and deep finish characteristic of honey-based beverages, the mead seeks to express the innovative spirit, aesthetic sensibility, and grand ambition of Oda Nobunaga — a man who stood on the brink of unifying Japan.
Product Overview
The product uses a rough-filtered mead made from Japanese wildflower honey. In an era without modern filtration technology, wartime sake would have retained the raw flavors and character of its ingredients. With this historical imagination in mind, the brewery chose the rough-filtration method for this release — a first for Kyoto Honey Wine Brewery.
The bottle itself is black, setting it apart from the brewery's usual clear glass. The dark, weighty appearance reflects the world of the Honnoji Incident and the strength and aesthetic of Nobunaga himself.
Product details:
- Product name: Nobunaga Mead
- Release date: June 2, 2026
- Price: ¥9,900 (tax included)
- Volume: 500 ml
- Honey used: Japanese wildflower honey
- Yeast: Wine yeast
- No additives
- Alcohol content: 7%
- No artificial flavors or colors; gluten-free; rough-filtered
- Available at: Miel Mie stores (limited quantities)
Nobunaga Memorial Service Appearance
On the day of release, Kyoto Honey Wine Brewery plans to set up a booth at the Nobunaga Memorial Service (信長公忌) held at Honnoji Temple in Kyoto, offering product tastings and displays. The mead is also scheduled to be offered at the memorial ceremony itself.
Key Visual by Ink Artist Okazu
The key visual features a specially commissioned work by ink artist Okazu (御歌頭). Known for bringing dynamic life to subjects ranging from feudal warriors to animals and nature, Okazu has performed live painting shows in seven countries including the UK, France, the United States, Singapore, Qatar, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The distinctive style — applying ink without gradation — lends the work a vivid sense of motion that feels almost alive, drawing the eye through a world of black and white contrast.
The Story Behind the Project
Kaneichi Shokai, the company behind Kyoto Honey Wine Brewery, is a Kyoto honey specialty shop founded in 1930, located within walking distance of Honnoji Temple. Third-generation president and "Honey Hunter" Takusaburo Ichikawa has been childhood friends with the current abbot of Genmyo-in, a sub-temple of Honnoji, since elementary school. Growing up, he visited Honnoji for events such as the precursor to the Nobunaga Memorial Service and even participated in training programs there during summer holidays. That connection continues today.
Building on that relationship, the honey specialty shop Miel Mie began participating as a vendor at the Nobunaga Memorial Service last year. This product was born from that experience. Seeing ink artist Okazu's live painting at the event, the team was so struck by the powerful depiction of Nobunaga that they reached out to commission the key visual for this mead.
What Is Mead?
Mead is a brewed alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey with yeast and water. Widely enjoyed in Europe for centuries, it has been gaining a following in Japan as well. Its distinctively sweet honey flavor comes in a broad range of styles — from rich, intensely sweet varieties suited to drinking before or after a meal, to lighter, food-friendly expressions. The taste varies according to the type of honey, water, aging period, and country of origin, making it a deeply nuanced drink for those who explore it further.
About Kyoto Honey Wine Brewery
Kaneichi Shokai began importing overseas meads to Japan as early as 2005, making it a pioneer in introducing diverse mead culture to the Japanese market. In 2017, the company began domestic mead production in earnest through contract brewing. In March 2024, it opened Kyoto Honey Wine Brewery — a dedicated mead production facility housed in a renovated Kyoto townhouse approximately 100 years old. The brewery combines honey personally selected by the Honey Hunter with the skills of brewer Jackie, crafting Kyoto-made meads for a global audience.
Sales Locations
- Miel Mie Sanjo Main Store — 21 Nakanomachi, Sanjo-dori Tominokoji Nishi-iru, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto
- Miel Mie Kyoto Takashimaya Store — Kyoto Takashimaya B1F, 52 Shimmachi, Shijo-dori Kawaramachi Nishi-iru, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto
- Miel Mie Hankyu Umeda Store — Hankyu Umeda Main Store B2F, 8-7 Kadota-cho, Kita Ward, Osaka
- Miel Mie Online Shop — https://miel-mie.com/
