Buddhika Weerasinghe: Female Sake Brew Master In Himeji

Misa Kawaisi, chief sake brew master, stirs fermenting sake at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of a few female sake brew masters, is an unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Misa Kawaisi, chief sake brew master, adds Koji bacteria powder to steamed rice at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of a few female sake brew masters, is a unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Misa Kawaisi, chief sake brew master, cools steamed rice at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of a few female sake brew masters, is a unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Misa Kawaisi(L), chief sake brew master, cools steamed rice at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of a few female sake brew masters, is a unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Misa Kawaisi(L), chief sake brew master, cools steamed rice as worker assists at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of a few female sake brew masters, is a unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Misa Kawaisi(R), chief sake brew master, cools steamed rice as worker assists at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of a few female sake brew masters, is a unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Misa Kawaisi(R), chief sake brew master, evens out steamed rice to cool it down as worker assists at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of a few female sake brew masters, is a unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Misa Kawaisi(L), chief sake brew master stands during the rice wash from 5 degree cold water that use to make sake at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of few female sake brew masters who are required long experience and sense, is a unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Misa Kawaisi(L), chief sake brew master stands as worker washes the rice steam tank at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of few female sake brew masters who are required long experience and sense, is a unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)

Misa Kawaisi (R), chief sake brew master, washes rice as worker assists at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of a few female sake brew masters, is a unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Misa Kawaisi (R), chief sake brew master, washes rice at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of a few female sake brew masters, is a unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Misa Kawaisi, chief sake brew master, rinses rice with cold water at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of a few female sake brew masters, is a unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Misa Kawaisi, chief sake brew master hangs wash rice bag at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of few female sake brew masters who are required long experience and sense, is a unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Misa Kawaisi, chief sake brew master, checks the alcoholic content of sake at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of a few female sake brew masters, is a unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Misa Kawaisi(R), chief sake brew master, fills sake bottles as worker assists at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of a few female sake brew masters, is a unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Misa Kawaisi, chief sake brew master, crates up sake bottles at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of a few female sake brew masters, is a unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. . (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Misa Kawaisi(R), chief sake brew master, fills sake bottles at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of a few female sake brew masters, is a unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)